§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES), in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, its principal object was to meet a difficulty which had arisen through a person who was not in Holy Orders having represented himself as a clergyman and obtained a position as a licensed curate, and in that capacity had solemnized a considerable number of marriages. His own opinion was that those marriages were valid; but it was important not to have any question about them, and the object of this Bill was to remove any doubts as to their validity. He appealed to the House not to offer any unnecessary opposition to the measure.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Attorney General.)
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed.
§ Bill considered in Committee; Committee report Progress; to sit again Tomorrow.