The Lord Chancellorsaid, he had next to bring forward another Bill, which had been suspended in the hope, that the Legislature would adopt a salutary measure that had been introduced to the other House by a learned friend of his. A year ago, he had expressed a wish, that a concurrent jurisdiction should be given to the Bankruptcy Court in cases of insolvency. It had been supposed, when the Court of Review was first established, that it would be greatly overworked, whereas the fact was, that it was under-worked, and the judges had much time upon their hands. Now, it would be found extremely beneficial if that time was devoted to the disposal of insolvency cases. Complaints had been made, that, during the long vacation, a period of six weeks, unfortunate persons confined for debt were precluded from obtaining their liberty. Though the Commissioners went the circuit three times a-year, their labours were confined to England, and it was desirable that they should proceed to Wales. The present Bill would provide for both these points. So long as there was a chance of the Local Jurisdiction Bill being passed, he did not feel any desire to interfere with the system, because that Bill would effect every object which this Bill had in view. But that measure having been lost, he thought it was necessary to propose the present Bill, which would give concurrent jurisdiction in cases of insolvency to two puisne Judges of the Court of Review. He hoped that this measure would be only a temporary one, because there was a Bill brought into the other House of Parliament by the Solicitor-General, which he hoped would be carried, and which would render this measure unnecessary. As, however, this Bill was at present suspended, he thought it fit to propose this measure.
§ Bill read a first time.