The Sun.
London, England, 1835-06-06 00:00:00

OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON BILL.

Mr. J. JERVIS obtained leave to bring in a Bill to amend
the law relating to offences against the person. The Bill was
subsequently brought in and read a first t►me.
GRAND JURY BILL.

Sir RICHARD MUSGRAVE said he rose for the pur-
pose of asking leave to bring in a Bill, the principal object of
which was to consolidate the laws relating to the civil functions
of Grand Juries in Ireland, and to promote the extension of
Public Works. It was unnecessary for him to say much on
the importance of public works. The principal design in in-
troducing the Bill was to afford employment to the able-
bodied labourer. He had already brought forward a Bill for
the relief of the helpless poor. If, in addition to these
measures, a certain control over the et penditure of counties
were given to the Board of Public Works in Ireland, a com-
plete system of employment and relief would be established.,
The laws relating to the civil duties of Grand Juries were
100 in number. They were so numerous and their provisions
so complicated, that even the Judges and Counsel on circuit
hardly professed to understand them. By the proposed Bill
all these laws would be consolidated, and this, he conceived,
would confer a great public benefit. To consolidate these
laws, and to frame the other important provisions now pro-
posed, was a work of great difficulty and of very great
labour. It had been undertaken by Mr. Harrison of Lincoln's
Inn, and by a relative of his ( Sir Richard's) who had devoted
much attention to the state of Ireland. Hon. Members, on
reading the Bill, would find that the task had been accom-
plished with ability. In the present state of the House, he
would not detain Hon. Members longer. He therefore moved
for leave to bring in a Bill for the administration of certain
civil affairs of a local nature in Ireland.---Leave given.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT BILL. _ _

Sir J. CAM PBE LL said he had to lay upon the table of
the House the Report of the Committee to whom were re-
ferred for a second time the Bill for the Abolition of Impri-
sonment for Debt. He trusted that all the difficulties in the
way of that measure being passed, would now be removed.
One of the amendments agreed to in the Committee was, that
book debts were to stand on the same footing as bills of ex-
change and bonds. After a great deal of deliberation, two
clauses were introduced in conformity with the opinion of a
large majority of the Committee, the operation of which would
be to enable the assets of insolvent persons to be administered
by trustees without taking out a fiat of bankruptcy. 1! credi-
tors choose, they would have the opportunity of winding uP
the estates, the intervention of a lawyer ndt• being necessary.
It was proposed, that if seven-eighths of the creditors concur-
red in this arrangement, the one-eighth were to be over-ruled;
and would not possess the power of fraudulently resisting the
arrangement. He should move that the Bill, as now amended,
should be re-printed, and that the Report should be taken into
further consideration on Wednesday se'nnight.
Mr. HUME expressed his gratitude to the Honourable and
Learned Gentleman for the measure, which would be highly be-
neficial to both debtors and creditors.
Mr. PE/in and Mr. RICIIA RDS said a few words which
were inaudible.
Mr. WILK S gave notice that on Wednesday he should
move for a Select Committee. to inquire into and report on the
progress which had been made in the investigation respecting
Charities. _ _ _