HC Deb 07 February 1859 vol 152 c161

MR. WHITESIDE moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the abolition, in certain cases, of receivers of the Court of Chancery in Ireland. On this subject there had been several Committees of Inquiry, and they had all so unanimously condemned the system of appointing receivers that he did not apprehend any difficulty in obtaining permission to legislate on the subject. It might be interesting to state, with regard to the operations of the Incumbered Estates Court, that since it was established there had been sold no less than £23,933,566 worth of land. But a great quantity of land in Ireland still remained under incumbrances, and there were upwards of 1,100 receivers of estates in the office of the Receiving Master, besides 200 or 300 others in other Masters' offices. The receivers were obliged to enter into recognisances, and each find two sureties, so that their estates, and those of the sureties, were involved in the Chancery complication. The effect had been to complicate the land of that country to such an extent as required a strong measure now to clear it. There had been eighty-four receivers appointed during the last year, and a stop must be put to the mischief. By the present Bill it was provided that where a judgment was obtained no receiver should be appointed where the parties could obtain a sale. There would be certain exceptions, but they would be very few.

Bill for the Abolition of Receivers under the Court of Chancery in Ireland in certain cases, and for giving further facilities to the Sale of Incumbered Estates, ordered to be brought in by Mr. ATTORNEY GENERAL for Ireland, Lord NAAS, and Mr. SOLICITOR GENERAL.

Bill presented, and read 1o.