§ Order of the Day for the House to be put into a Committee, read.
§ LORD ST. LEONARDSin moving "That the House do now resolve itself into a Committee on the said Bill," explained the provisions of the Bill, which he said was intended to remedy certain defects in the law, which in consequence of alterations which had been introduced by the House of Commons into his Bill of last year, had failed of its intended effect in some important particulars. His Lordship spoke in so low a tone that the details of this purely technical subject could not be followed.
LORD BROUGHAMthought their Lordships must be of opinion, as he was sure the profession at large would be, that they were under great obligations to his noble and learned Friend for devoting, as he did, his leisure and retirement to the amendment of the law. This very important Bill, he believed, had not come before their Lordships for the first time.
THE LORD CHANCELLORentirely agreed with the Bill of his noble and learned Friend, and he thought their Lordships and the public were deeply indebted to his noble Friend for his perseverance. He felt there would be but little danger of the present measure being rejected by the 445 House of Commons, although he was sorry to say, with all his respect for that House, that he thought it was not in advance with regard to legal reform, and that upon many occasions most useful measures, which had been sent down by their Lordships, had been thrown out by it.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ House in Committee accordingly.
§ Bill reported without Amendment.
§ Amendments made.
§ Bill to be read 3a To-morrow.
§ House adjourned at a quarter to Six o'clock, till To-morrow, Half-past Ten o'clock.