HL Deb 12 July 1839 vol 49 cc219-20

The Marquess of Lansdowne moved the second reading of this bill, the effect of which was to extend the existing Act relating to bills of exchange.

Lord Ellenborough

hoped, that if the noble Marquess had any amendments to propose to this bill, he would take care to have them ready at the time the bill was committed, in order that the discussion might be taken as early as possible. The bill was most carelessly drawn, and he wished that the noble Marquess would get some one else to draw his bills, or would be more particular in looking over them. In this measure, in some instances, the same matter was expressed in different places by different words. He thought that the same words should always be employed in such cases, for wherever there was a variety of expression, it was commonly thought that a variety of meaning was intended.

The Marquess of Lansdowne

said, that no bill of his drawing, or of the preparation of which he had the care, ever came up from the House of Commons. He should take care that if he had any amendments to propose in Committee, they should be ready, and should be properly worded.

Second reading postponed.