§ The Lord Advocate moved for leave to bring in a Bill for Regulating the Sequestration of Bankrupts' Estates in Scotland.
Mr. Murraysaid, it gave him most sincere pleasure to hear, that the learned Lord intended to introduce the same Bill which had been so keenly opposed to the Committee which sat last summer. He (Mr. Murray) had never objected to that opposition; for, however warmly it was conducted, it tended to a more rigid and minute examination of all the details of the Bill, than might otherwise have taken place. The Committee sat constantly for 872 nearly two months, and was much indebted to the able assistance which the hon. Member for Edinburgh, notwithstanding his other numerous and important avocations, gave to the details of the Bill. The Committee also received much advantage from the attendance of the learned Member for Huddersfield, and from two gentlemen who were not Members of the present Parliament—the late Member for South Lancashire, and the late Member for Glasgow—who, from their knowledge of mercantile affairs, were able to assist more, perhaps, than any others, in the improvement of the Bill. With all the pains that had been taken to improve it, he believed it still had defects; and as the learned Lord had declared his intention to adopt the same Bill, he (Mr. Murray) would readily give every assistance in his power to remove those defects, and to render it such a Bill as would be beneficial to the country of Scotland.
§ Sir John Campbell,as a Scotch Member, hailed the introduction of this measure as one which was much wanted, and most earnestly desired in Scotland, and was glad, that there was now a prospect of its passing into a law.
Mr. Wallacetendered his thanks, as well to the late Lord Advocate, for having originated this salutary measure, as to the present learned Lord for following his predecessor's wise course, in bringing forward the Bill again at so early a period, as to insure its passing this Session. He wished to know from the learned Lord, whether it was his intention to introduce any measure to amend the law respecting conveyancing in Scotland. There was no other country in Europe, except Hungary, where the barbarous system of feudal conveyance of property still remained.
§ Mr. Cutlar Fergussonhoped the learned Lord was actuated by a steady determination to press the Bill forward, and to insure its passing into a law this Session. He perfectly agreed in the observation of the last speaker, that the system of Scotch conveyancing was as oppressive as in the most feudal country in Europe.
The Lord Advocatesaid, it was his intention to refer the Bill, for which he now moved to a Committee up stairs, when the aid of the hon. Member, the late Lord Advocate, would be made available towards rendering it more perfect. As to conveyancing, he would say, that it had 873 been referred to a Commission, and until that Commission reported, he could not take any step. At the same time, he would admit, that the present system was a bad one, and he was disposed to give it his best consideration, with a view to devise a remedy.
Leave was given to bring in the Bill.