The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-26 00:00:00

EMPERIAL PARLIAIVIENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—(This EVENING.)

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Duke of Sutherland's Estate, Kilkenny Junction
Railway, Eastern Counties Railway (Amendments), bills
were read a third time and passed.
BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY BILL.

The LORD CHANCELLOR presented a petition pray-
ing their lordships to pass the Bankruptcy Bill as it at pre-
sent stood.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

The Earl of DERBY said he hoped their lordships would
give him their indulgence when he referred to the state of
the business of the house. Before Whitsuntide 68 bills were
introduced into the House of Commons, and since that time
80 more had been brought in, making no less than 148 bills.
Of these 78 had been passed and 5 rejected by the Com-
mons ; 23 were withdrawn, and there now remained 44
bills awaiting the consideration of the lower house.
In their lordships' house there were 48 bills still
awaiting attention, for 18 of which this day had been men-
tioned. He had not taken any notice of the bills which
had been amended by their lordships, and con-
cerning which it would be necessary to hold con-
ferences with the Commons. There were a very
large number of bills which +here appeared no likelihood
of forwarding—he meant the five bills for consolidating the
criminal law. They were on the paper for consideration,
and no day had been named. He felt certain public business
suffered from the haste in which many bills had to be
passed at the conclusion of the session. The Courts
of Justice Bill had been hurriedly disposed of in
the House of Commons at two o'clock in the morning.
He must protest against such treatment of important busi-
ness. There were yesterday 26 bills on their lordships'
paper, and to-day 23 for consideration. He would like to
know whether the noble earl was ready to state whether
he was prepared to act on the resolutions of the noble lord
(Redesdale), and not press measures which it was impos-
sible could be fully considered, and whether he would com-
municate with his colleagues with a view of preventing in-
jurious haste in the other house ?

Earl GBANVILLE said he hoped their lordships would
not be alarmed by the number of bills the noble earl
had referred to. The Irremovable Poor Bill, he thought,
was a very good bill, and the Government Were not to blame
for the course that had been adopted last night when it
was passed through committee. Five minutes before the
house went into committee there were no less than 100
members present. With respect to bills now awaiting con-
sideration, no time would be lost in determining when
they would be proceeded with.
Lord REDESDALE thought he had not been treated
with respect as regarded the Irremovable Poor Bill. He had
requested the noble earl to postpone that measure, as he wished
prepare certain amendments, but his request was refused.
They were now within 10 days of the end of the session,
and he did not think it would be doing justice to several
bills if they were forced through Parliament without due
consideration.

Earl GRANVILLE defended the course taken with
respect to the Irremovable Poor Bill.
The Earl of HARDWICKE complained that the noble
earl had in effect given no answer to the question of
his noble friend. It was hardly fair to detain
independent peers in town, in consequence of -its not being
known what bills were and what were not to be proceeded
with.

The Duke of NEWCASTLE said the noble earl spoke
as if this was the first time that the state of public business
had been complained of at this period of the session. He
recollected a very important bill containing 100 clauses,
which had been brought up quite as late as the present
time during the Government of the noble earl opposite.
He thought the object of the noble lord opposite was quite
apparent with respect to the Irremovable Poor Bill. It
was, in fact, an attempt to defeat and not to amend the
measure, because one of the amendments was quite in op-
position to the wishes of the House of Commons.