HC Deb 26 April 1897 vol 48 c1120

On the Motion for the Second Reading of this Bill,

MR. E. H. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)

thought there should be some explanation of the Bill by one of the Law Officers of the Crown. He found that the provision of the Act which the Bill proposed to amend dispensed with the usual qualifications necessary in a valid will in the ease of a person serving as a seaman or of a person who had ceased so to serve. He could conceive an instance in which the repeal of those words might produce a, great hardship.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing)

said the representatives of the Admiralty were not aware that the Bill would have come on so soon, and were therefore not present. But the point of the hon. Gentleman was a small one, and might very well be raised in Committee.

MR. PICKERSGILL

said the point he had raised was the whole effect and substance of the Bill. In the circumstances he should move the adjournment of the Debate.

* MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman's Motion is not seconded.

Bill read a Second time, and committed for Thursday.