Star.
London, England, 1820-02-23 00:00:00

EXPIRING LAWS.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
moved the Order of the Day, for the House going
into a Committee upon the Bill, for renewing, to a
certain period, all such laws as would expire before
the meeting of the new Parliament.
Lord ALTHORPE rose, for the purpose of mov-
ing, that the Insolvent Debtors' Act should be ex-
cepted. He presumed that the Right Hon. Gentle-
man would give no opposition to this motion, seeing
that he coincided in the views generally entertained
in the House upon the subject of a new Bill. In-
deed, every person who was at all acquainted with
the feelings which were entertained by individuals
in trade with respect to the present law, must know
that they are all dissatisfied with it ; and their dissa-
tisfaction arose not from prejudice, but was sup-
ported upon just and rational grounds. As the law
now stood, it was impossible. that justice could be
done between the creditor and debtor. By the pre-
sent system, the accounts of the Insolvent were exa-
mined only in open Court—a mode of proceeding
'that was almost nugatory. Then the expense was
very heavy. As the law now stood, a debtor might
be removed, by Habeas, to 2 great distance from his
creditors, so that the expense of opposition would,
in many instances, if it were pursued, absorb more
than the amount of the original debt. This law
ought not, therefore, to be continued one day longer
than was absolutely necessary. Those who agreed
with him in the principle of the cessio bonarum,
could not consistently vote for a perseverance in acts
which injured that principle. Besides, if the present
law were allowed to expire of itself, the House would'
be able hereafter, to legislate upon the subject with
greater chance of success. He had every feeling
tor those persons who should remain in prison longer
than the usual time if the law were to expire;,
but he also felt for the advantages which would be
gained by that circumstance, inasmuch as it would
enable the House to deliberate with more effect upon
the principles of a new Bill. He concluded with
moving, " that instructions be given to the Com-
mittee, that they have power to make provision not
to continue the Insolvent Debtors Act:'
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
thought, that to allow the present law to expire be-
fore Parliament could possibly substitute a new Act,
would be an unnecessary and harsh proceeding—
(Hear, hear). Nor did he see any great impropriety
in continuing, for a specified period, the system
which was now in operation. It was true, indeed,
that that system was defective ; but still it had been
acted upon fur several years, and the Public were
now accustomed to it. To suspend it would not, in
his opinion, give any support to the principle of the
new Rill (Hear, hear); nor would it be considered
as affording any pledge from Parliament, as to the
nature or extent of that measure (Hear, hear). For
these reasons it was desirable that the present law
should be continued, even though it should be at-
tended with some inconvenience.

Sir R. WILSON was sorry to differ from his Noble
Friend ; but it would be extremely harsh to suffer the
present law to expire at its appointed time. If this
should be the case, it would put all insolvent debtors
in a worse situation than they would have been if
there had been no demise of the Crown—a result
opposite to that which had usually followed—he
meant an Act of Grace.

The motion was then put and negatived.
Mr. DENMAN wished to know whether any
steps were to be taken to prevent inconvenience
from the expiration of the Annual Indemnity Bill ?
The Honourable Member said, he feared that Magi-
strates and others would be put to inconvenience in
consequence of this Bill not being renewed. Indeed,
there was a case now pending, to be held at the As-
sizes ; and judgment might be had during the first
days of next Term, before the Magistrate, against
whom the action was, could justify.
After a few observations from Lord CASTLEREAGH,
the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER and also from
Mr. DENMAN,

Lord CASTLEREAGH said, if Gentlemen's
minds were not satisfied, he hall no objection to have
a short Bill introduced to remedy the evil, as he was
convinced there would be no objection made to such
a measure in any quarter.

The Bill went through a Committee, the deport
was received and agreed to, and the Bill was subse-
quently read a third time, and passed.
Lord A. HAMILTON presented' a Petition from

the Guildry and Merchants of Stirling, complaining
that certain persons in that town had entered into
what is called a black band, by which t hey were bound
to keep the direction and management of the dis 4
ttict vetted solely in themselves during their lives.—
They prayed the interference of the House.—Ordered
• lie the Ible.

to oo . . ta,
IRISH ELECTION POLLS RILL. 4ts.
Sir H. PARNELL moved the third tea3_ll7g of
the Irish Election Polls Pill.

On the question being put, .. •
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, he understood.that
this Bill introduced important regulations at Irish
Elections. He had not himself time to inquire into
the enactments of the Bill ; but understanding that
it was so much desired on the other side of the waters
he gave it his support
the Hon. C. H. HUTCHINSON observed,
at the approach of a General Election, it was neces,
sary that Members should watch with the greatest
jealousy any measure which tended to infringe upon
the rights of E!ecters--(Hear, hear). He had par-
ticularly noticed this Bill in its different stages, de.
termined to give it his decided opposition, if he
found that it was calculated to have any such °Pent-
tion. He was now, however, happy to find, fleas
the Honourable Baronet himself, that the measure
would have no such effect, and, therefore, he was
not prepared to give it any opposition.
The Bill was read a third time and passed.

Lord PALMERSTON presented Accounts of the Monies
:received and paid to half-pay Cominissions.—Ordered to be
printed.