The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-03 00:00:00

THE JUDGES' CHAMBERS BILL.

The LORD CHANCELLOR, in moving the
second reading of this bill, stated that it had been sug-
gested to him by a nobleand learned friend who had him-
self been a Judge in Chambers that there should be a
clause introduced which should !Allow an appeal from the
decision of the Masters who were to decide on points
argued in Chambers to the Judges themselves. He (the
Lord Chancellor) considered this a very reasonable clause,
and ono which could be advantageously introduced. He
therefore, with this aiditbn, now moved the second read-
ing of this bill.
It was then read a secctid time.
THE CRIMINAL LUNATICS BILL.

The Earl of BELMORE moved the second reading of
this bill, stating it was on. which would greatly contribute
to the better regulation d, the system at present pursued
thtyard criminal lunatics. It was a very short but a very
iortant one.
The Earl of SHAFTIISBURY said that he did not
object to the bill, which he considered a very good one,
but he certainly did abject to the third clause of
the bill, which gave the power to her Majesty's Secre-
tary of State to discharge any criminal lunatic. This

ie considered a dangerots clause, and would urge upon

their lordships that the greatest circumspection should be
exercised in carrying mit this important function. A
person committing a crme might be confined during
her Majesty's pleasure, and then, on the certifi-
cate of certain physicians, be let out to the
world again. It was a very serious question whether
when persons were guilty of the most horrible crimes that

they should be let ea-tothe world again. He would im-
plore them to reflect mina an affliction this might
prove to society at large. He was afraid that
by . the sense of impunity which this clause
would engender, it would increase the species of
crimes which resulted from madness.. He (the noble earl)
remembered that on ono occasion when he had gone
over Bethlehem Hospital, that the very criminal
medical man who had accompanied him had
stated that he knew twenty men at least in
that establishment who bad said that if ever they got out

they would break his head, and that they should do it
with impunity. As they were already declared to be mad,
he thought it was the duty of the Secretary of State to
be particularly cautious in liberating criminal lunatic;
especially as they might have simulated madness for the
sake of screening themselves from the consequences of
their crime. (Hear, hear.)
• The Earl of KIMBERLEY would ask whether this bill
was not to extend to Ireland. There was an establish-
ment there at Dundrum, which was similar to the same
kind of establishments in England. He would call the
noble earl's attention to the subject.

The Earl of BELMORE said that he was not exactly
prepared to answer why the bill did not extend to Ireland.

fie believed that it formed one of the bills peculiarly
adapted to England.,

Tho bill was then read a second time.
THE DUBLIN UNIVERSITY PROFESS ORS HIPS

BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES.

Lord REDESDALE gave notice of a motion with re-
gard to tho offices iu Downing-street, relative to
what could be the advantage to the public of having those
enormous and expensive offices for public business.
They were paying a great deal for temporary offices. He
understood that the Foreign Office was to come down. He
should wish, when ho made his motion, to know what
property had been purchased, and how much had been ex-
pended, and ask for a return of the amount of property
which had been purchased. _ _ .