§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD MILNER OF LEEDSMy Lords, this Bill, which was originally introduced in another place by Dr. Somerville Hastings, the honourable Member for Barking, seeks to remedy a rather curious but in some respects serious disability regarding newly-erected Nonconformist and Roman Catholic chapels. The law is that before they may be used for the solemnisation of marriages application to the Superintendent Registrar has to be made, and a statement has to be signed by twenty householders to the effect that they have used the church as their usual place of worship for not less than twelve months. The principal object of this Bill is to do away with that period of delay of twelve months, which seems to have no very good purpose. The remaining contents of it are consequential. I beg to move that the Bill be read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Milner of Leeds.)
472§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, in view of the fact that this Bill very suitably achieves the desirable object of removing an inconvenience in the way of newly established Free Church congregations, while at the same time retaining proper legal safeguards in the public interest, I am glad to indicate to your Lordships that it is acceptable to Her Majesty's Government, and to commend it to your Lordships' approval.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and Committed to a Committee of the Whole House.