§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
§ LORD HERSCHELL: My Lords, this Bill is to remedy a result which I believe was unintentional from the terms used in the County Court Consolidation Bill, the effect of which has been that the Commissioners for taking oaths in the County Palatine of Lancaster are not now able, as they were previously, to take oaths in cases in the County Courts. The Bankruptcy Act expressly enables 419 them to take oaths in bankruptcy cases in County Courts, so that the effect is now that they can take oaths in bankruptcy cases in the County Courts but not in other cases. This Bill is simply for the purpose of restoring to them in that respect the powers which they have been exercising in another for many years. I understand there is no objection on the part of my noble and learned Friend.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR: I have not the least objection. The noble and learned Lord has been good enough to postpone it upon my expression of doubt upon the question whether rights have been preserved. I find there is not the least doubt about it.
§ LORD HBRSCHELL: The Bill consists of only four lines, and as it is so short your Lordships may be of opinion that there is probably no necessity for sending it to the Standing Committee, but that it should be dealt with by a Committee of the whole House.
§ Bill road 2a (according to order), and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.