§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ (12.3.) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir R. WEBSTER, Isle of Wight)I hope the House will take the Second Reading now. It is simply a Bill to remove doubt whether civil cases can be taken in the City of London. There is in fact no alteration of the law. The question has been raised whether nisi prius trials can take place in the City of London at the, Guildhall.
§ DR. TANNERI object.
§ (12.3.) MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)I notice on the Paper a series of little Bills of this character such as are usually made the subject of barter and arrangement between ourselves and the Government towards the end of a Session. Now, if we allow these Bills to go through now, we lose all the advantage of these Autumn manoeuvres, sometimes very useful to us. The Government seem to be prematurely delivered of a number of these Bills, and it is unusual to attempt to rush them at this period of the Session. I think the City of London, having waited so long for this Bill, can well wait a few weeks longer.
§ (12.4.) MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)A little time ago, in the course of the Debate, a Member of the Government pointed out as an objection to certain proposals made from this side of the House, that the House would be under the necessity of discussing Returns and approving transactions under the Land Purchase Bill after 12 o'clock at night. Upon the same grounds we may object to Bills being taken after midnight.
Second Reading deferred till to-morrow, at Two of the clock.