The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-01 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS—(YEsTr,RDAy).

The LORD CLIANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clocke

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY presented several pe-
Rims against the opening of the Crystal Palace and
British Museum on Sundays.
Pz' Lord REDESDA LE presented netitions to a similar
effect from the countieq of Warwick and Gloucester.

Lord DUNGANNON gave notice that on Tuesday
next he should move for certain returns relating to the
:magistracy of Ireland.
TORTURE IN INDIA..

The Earl of ALBEKARLE moved that there be
laid before their lordships a report by the acting second
ledge of circuit of the centre division of the Madras
Presidency, addressed to the Court of Fonjdaree Adaw.
Int, dated Sept. 25, 1840, together with the proceedings
of the court held thereon, also the minute of the council
of the Madras Government,founded, on the report of
the, circuit judge and on the proceedings of the
Foujdaree Adawlut ; with returns of the number of
native officers employed in the police, and the
collection of revenue, the number of the officers dis-
missed for employing torture, or other misconduct, in
the years 1813, 1833, and 1835 ; a return of the revenues
of the Presidency in 1803, 1813, 1823, 1833, and 1853,
and several other returns relating to the courts of cir-
cuit, land tax, &c., and despatches respecting taxation
and torture. The noble lord said that he intended the
returns he now moved fit to serve for the further
illustration of the return that had recent!' been
Made upon the torture employed in Madras. The tor-
ture, it appeared, had been practised by the Government
for Government purposes—torture inflicted for the pur-
pose of raising revenue, and torture inflicted for compul-
sory labour upon the Government works. He did not
mean to harrow up their feelings on the present occa-
sion by-reciting the truly horrible details that were con-
tained in the volume, but he would take a more favour-
able opportunity of entering more fully into the subject.
The chief evidence of the commission of these cruelties
was given by Mr. Malcolm Lewin, who had served as a
judge for many years with great fidelity in the East
India Company, and had subsequently become a judge
Connected with the Geurt of Foujdaree Adawlut. The
last report was dated 1855, and it bore strong re-
semblance to the report of 1840, as far as the
Most appalling details of torture were concerned.
The noble earl concluded by moving for the returns.
Earl GRANVILLE said three years ago the question
bad been settled by Parliament after full inquiry. The
Government declared itself responsible for the admini-
stration -of Indian affairs. The returns would cause
great inconvenience, but he should not object to them,
because the Government felt the great importance of
the subject.
After a few words from several of the noble lords the
returns were ordered.
COMMONS ENCLOSURE BILL.
Thin bill was read a second time.

JOINT-STOCK BANKS (SCOTLAND) BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(YESTERDAY.)

The SPEAKER took the chair Rhortly after f,,nr o'clock.
LONDON DIOCESAN CHURCH BUILDING

SOCIETY BILL.

On the motion of Mr. BROTHERTON for the second
reading of this bill,
Mr. HADFIELD moved, as an amendment, that it
be read a second time that day six month•. He looked
upon this bill as a public measure, and that it should
have been introduced by the Government instead of by a
private member. It was one way of getting an
obnoxious measure quietly through the house.
Sir W. CLAY segonded the arneudrnent.
Lord R. GROSVENOR supported the bill. It dealt
°MY with private property.
After a tew words from other hon. member.,
The house divided, when the numbers were--

For the second reading
Against it 2O
Majority for second reading --115
The bill wad then revd a second time.
RAILWAY, &c., BILLS.
Mr. STRUTT moved that " the Bard of Tra'lo do
Present to this house a report upon the Railway and
Canal Bills of this session, in conformity with the recom-
mendation contained in the fifth report of the select
"tilmittse on railway and canal bills of the cession
°f 1853 ; and, that the Board of Trade do
Present to this house a report upon the
Private Bills for Harbours, Docks, Navigations, &c., in
°Gnfornaity with the practice in force with respect to
Railway Bills."—Agreed to.

NEW WRIT.
A new writ was ordered on the motion of Mr. HAY-
-1-BR, for Boston, in the room of Mr. Gilbert Heathcote,
who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.