§ Order for Second Reading read.
338§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL (Sir J. RIGBY,) Forfarsaid, that no alteration of the law whatsoever was proposed by the Bill. The Joint Committee had given it the most attentive consideration, and it would be a great convenience and give an opportunity for amending the law if it were allowed to pass.
§ SIR R. WEBSTER (Isle of Wight)If the hon. and learned Gentleman gives us the assurance that the Bill—which is rather a heavy one, and not easily glanced through to grasp its purport—does not alter the Law of Copyhold, I have no objection that it should pass.
§ SIR J. RIGBYWe avoided with the greatest care making any alteration whatever.
§ MR. HALSEY (Hertfordshire, Watford)said, that on the assurance which had been given by the Solicitor General, he would withdraw his objection to the Bill.
§ MR. STUART-WORTLEY (Sheffield, Hallam)It is necessary to have that assurance, because I know there are those on the Treasury Bench who have expressed the opinion that this opportunity might always be seized for altering the law.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Thursday.