Lord Broughambegged to call their Lordships' attention, especially that of his noble and learned Friend on ths woolsack, and his noble and learned Friend opposite (Lord Lyndhurst), to a bill which he was about to introduce to their notice. It was not usual to state the objects of a measure on the first reading, but there were reasons which induced him, on the present occasion, to break through that rule. A very important measure had been withdrawn from the other House, which he deeply lamented. That bill amongst other things, empowered the heads of the Court of Chancery to make such alterations and improvements in the proceedings of the court, with regard to taking evidence and other matters, as would have been of the greatest benefit to the suitors. On this point there was no difference of opinion whatever; but the bill had, he was sorry to say, excited considerable opposition. The bill which he now brought forward, however, referred exclusively to this single point. On this a unanimous opinion had been expressed, both in a select committee up stairs and by their Lordships. He, therefore, trusted, that the House of Commons would receive the bill, and pass it without any opposition. On Monday he should move the second reading of the measure, and the suspension of the standing orders, in order that it might be sent down to the House of Commons without any delay.
§ Lord Lyndhurstperfectly concurred in what his noble and learned Friend had said, and he approved of the present bill; but he was not very sanguine as to the course which it might meet with elsewhere. He must say, he deeply regretted the failure of that bill in the other House, after the care which had been bestowed upon it by their Lordships. He was sure that the public, and the profession, and, above all, the suitors, would have derived the greatest benefit from that measure. For 1164 his own part, he could not help thinking, that there must have been some misunderstanding in the other House of Parliament, for he could not conceive, that it was the intention of the parties to put the bill off.
§ The Lord Chancellorthinking as he did, that every part of the bill was essential to the public interest, regretted it had not passed the other House. As regarded the fate of the present bill, he confessed be was not so sanguine as his noble and learned Friend, seeing the determined opposition that was given to the other bill.
§ Bill read a first time.