HC Deb 14 July 1856 vol 143 cc809-10

On Question that this Bill be now read 2°

MR. T. BARING

asked if it was the intention of the Government to proceed with this Bill with the first clause at it now stood?

MR. LOWE

hoped the hon. Gentleman would agree to the second reading of the Bill, and take the discussion of the first clause in Committee. By opposing the Bill now because of the first clause, the entire measure, which contained some excellent enactments, might be endangered; whereas the object of the hon. Gentleman would be obtained equally well in Committee.

MR. T. BARING

would not oppose the second reading, if the right hon. Gentleman would give an assurance that the first clause would be withdrawn in Committee.

Mr. J. G. PHILLIMORE, Mr. HADFIELD, Mr. MALINS, and Mr. W. BROWN

, expressed their opposition to the first clause, which went to repeal one of the most important provisions of the Statute of Frauds.

MR. ROEBUCK

thought, if the right hon. Gentleman acted prudently, he would withdraw the first clause, otherwise the entire Bill would be endangered.

MR. CRAUFURD

was in favour of the first clause.

MR. MASTERMAN

assured the right hon. Gentleman that the mercantile interest generally of the City of London were strongly opposed to the first clause of the Bill.

MR. LOWE

said, he had no wish to persevere against such an array of opinions as seemed to exist against the first clause; and his only difficulty was that the Bill was not his own, but had been introduced into the House of Lords under the sanction of very high legal authority. He must say for himself that he thought the first clause perfectly right; but after the expression of opinion he had heard, he would consent to withdraw it in Committee.

MR. BARING

, on the understanding that the clause would be withdrawn in Committee, would not oppose the second reading of the Bill.

Bill read 2°, and committed for this day (Tuesday).