The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-02-23 00:00:00

I.AWS EXPIRINII ■ILL.

The CHANCELIA/R of the EXCHEQUER ed
the Order of the liay for going into a Committee on
the Lama Expiring bill.
On (be question that the Speaker do leave the Chair,
Lord ALTHOHP said, it was his intention to move
that the Insolvent Act should be exempted from the
operation of this Bill. Having generally the same views
with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, respecting this
Bill, he felt it necessary to state why he proposed this
exceptien to ita being continued. Every ooe knew that
there was a strong feeling entertained by the trailing
community against the asisting Act. Even if this feel-
ing was one of prejudice, it ought to be attended to. lint
the con•rary was the fact. Among the many evils under
Ilse present Act was, the difficulty of inspecting the in-
solvent's accounts. At present this could only be done
in open Court, and this was well known to be no exa-
mination at all. Another great objection was the great
expellee to which creditors were put by the Insolvent
removing himself to a different Court. These among
other reasons, induced him to wish that the law should
expire. Whatever might be the difficelty incurred to
persons nose is prison, he thought it would be better,
both for creditors as well as All future debtors, that the
question should be tahtli ,up de *GC(' by the next Pr •

!lament. He therefore moved, that the insolvent Act be •
exempted from the operation of Ibis Hilt
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHIKIVER said, the
Noble Lord and himself were agreed as to the iwinci-
ple of the measore, yet he thought it would be hard to
keep those persons who were confined for debt, and
who looked to the existing Art as their only solace, in
prison longer that' was contemplated at the peribt bf
their commitment. Those periods 01114 it tip be platted it
the tame situation as they would be had tot the demise
of the Crown taken place ; the Bill would then have ova-
tinned in force until some amentiestker had been intro-
duced. He thought, therefore, it would be better to
continue the existing law until Parliament shook' have
an opportunity of passing a more effectual one.
Sir It. WILSON, as a Mernherof the Committee, fe:l
it necessary to say a few words, lie thought it until '
he an infractioa of the principle laid down by the Home
if the present Hill was to be 'Windward, because it was
agreed that it should be revised. He hoped the existing
Act 'email be continued until after the meeting of the
new Parliament. -
The iptestion was then put, and Lard Altborp's mo-
tion was negatived without a division. _ ,
ANNUAL t/gbabllflrf BILL. •

Mr. UF:NM.IN wished to know whether any steps
were to he takeitiloaprevent incveveuiewee from the ex-
piration of the Annual Indemnity Bill. The Honocr-
able Hantber silitiboteared that Magistrates and others
world tiepin-to 11/adeuvonisnot 'in consequence of this
Bill not lielug.mtarrsd. • 'kilted there was a case sow
pending, to be held *Om Assizes; and
_judgment might
be hail tinting the aays or next Term, before t:.e
Magistrate, againalfehont the action was, could justify.
After a few observations front Lord CASTLIARRAG,I,
the eIIaNCLLLOIL of the Excitants'', and Mr. Ds3frai!r,
Lord t'ANTLBRKAOII said, if Hentlemen's minds
were not satisfied, he had no objection to have a short
Bill introduced to remedy the evil, as he was convinced
that there would be no objection made to such a ameasl:ro
.in any quarter.
'rho Rill went through a Committee, the Report was
received and agreed to, and the Bill was subseqaeutly
read a third time and passed.
Lord A. HAMILTON presented a Petition from the
Onildry sad Merchants of Stirling, complaining that
certain persons in that town had entered into what was
called a black bond, by which they were bound to keep
the direction and management of the district vette.'
solely in themselves during their lives. They prayed the
interference of the House.---1 rdered to lie on the tab:e.