§ Question again proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ MR. CALDWELL (continuing)regretted the interruption which had taken place, as he was anxious to conclude his remarks on the Second Reading so that the Bill could go to a Select Committee. It was obviously a measure which could not properly be dealt with in the ordinary way by the Standing Committee on Law. It was a codification Bill, involving a knowledge of common law, 1845 marine insurance, and the question of transferring it from the common law to statute law. If hon. Members thought, that by such a measure the law would be made more definite or clear they were making the greatest mistake of their lives. He was prepared to allow the Bill to go to a Select Committee, who would probably take as many years to revise it as were taken in another place.
§ THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir ROBERT FINLAY, Inverness Burghs)said the Bill was one to codifiy the law relating to marine insurance, and he agreed with the hon. Member that it was not a measure suitable to be dealt with by an ordinary Grand Committee. Very careful attention would have to be given to every clause, and he would accept the suggestion of the hon. Member that it should go to a Select Committee if the House would allow the Second Reading on that understanding.
§ And, it being Midnight, the debate stood adjourned.
§ Debate to be resumed upon Monday next.