§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. MELDON,in moving that the Bill be read a second time, reminded the House that a Bill was passed last year on the subject of the Registration of Bills of Sale in England. It had been a subject of very great inquiry amongst the commercial community and persons specially interested in the question, and the result was an alteration of the law in England. There could be no question that in legal matters the practice ought to be identical in the two countries, unless there was a presumption to the contrary; and, therefore, this Bill was introduced to extend to Ireland the provisions of that important and exceedingly useful Act of last year. Formerly in England, as at present in Ireland, if a bill of sale was properly registered, and if a person became bankrupt before it was put in force, the bill fell to the ground, and the result was that it became really valueless as a security. That had now been remedied in England, and there was no reason why the remedy 960 should not be extended to Ireland. He hoped the Bill would be allowed to pass without opposition, because the present difference between the two countries was highly inconvenient. As the time was short, he would not go further into the merits of the question, but would at once move the second reading.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Meldon.)
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON)said, the hon. and learned Member had fairly stated the purpose of the Bill. He (the Attorney General for Ireland) did not intend to oppose the second reading. He would only ask that a fair time for ascertaining the opinions of the people of Ireland should be given before the Bill was taken in Committee.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Tuesday 13th May.