§ Order for Committee read.
§ House in Committee.
§ Clause 1.
§ MR. ROLTsaid, he must express a hope that this Bill would not be pressed at that stage of the Session, and in so thin a House. There were many clauses in it which required the gravest consideration, as they involved some difficult questions of law. There was one especially which affected materially the law of debtor and creditor, and which demanded the closest attention.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, he wished, before his hon. and learned Friend rose, to state that the Bill seriously affected the interests of the Crown, and might occasion considerable difficulty and embarrassment to the revenue department. As the Bill came down from the Lords, any Amendment made therein would involve the necessity of its going back again to the Upper House. Under these circumstances he did not think that the Bill could be proceeded with in the present Session.
THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, it was with unfeigned regret he saw any opposition to the passing of this Bill. The measure had twice received the sanction of the House of Lords after long and minute discussions. It contained thirty-four operative and effective clauses. With the exception of two of them, he believed that the provisions of the Bill would effect great and important improvements. He was hound, however, to say that there was much opposition to one of those clauses on the part of solicitors. Looking, however, to the time of the Session, and the state of the benches around, he did not think that the measure could be pressed further at present.
§ House resumed. [No Report].
§ House adjourned at a quarter after Mine o'clock, till Monday next.