§ Order for Third Reading read.
§ Bill read 3°
§ On the Question that the Bill do pass,
1703§ MR. MALINSsaid, he must object to the passing of the Bill unless certain words were inserted providing that it should apply only to companies established under the 7 & 8 Vict., c. 110. Last year the Joint-Stock Companies Act was passed, by which all insurance companies were excluded, and the 7 & 8 Viet., c. 110, was repealed. In consequence of those two provisions, insurance companies were at liberty to establish themselves under a deed of settlement without being registered, but the present Bill would impose on all those companies established since 1856 penalties for not having complied with the provisions of the 7 & 8 Victoria. This would be ex post facto legislation, and he therefore must oppose the passing of the Bill, unless the words he had suggested were introduced.
§ MR. ADAMSsaid, he would also oppose the Bill in its present shape, for if it passed without the proposed Amendment gross injustice would be done.
§ MR. MALINSsaid, he was quite content with this understanding.
§ Bill passed.