The Lord Chancellorsaid, he would now move the appointment of a committee to take into consideration the state of the law in Ireland as it related to marriages, with the view of providing some remedy for the evils now complained of. He thought it of the utmost importance that some such measure should be devised as speedily as possible.
Lord Broughamentirely concurred with his noble and learned Friend on this subject, and he would now suggest that the Irish Marriage Bill should be read a second time and referred to the committee which was about to be appointed.
The Marquess of Clanricardeasked whether it were intended to refer the Marriage Bill to this committee.
The Lord Chancellorthought it would be advisable that the bill should be referred to this committee, and that they should, if possible, agree to some general measure on the subject. It was a singular thing in the history of the world, that, with respect to a contract so. solemn as that of marriage, the law should be left 203 more vague than on almost any other question whatever.
Lord Broughamsuggested, that the committee should meet early on Thursday, in order to get through as much of the business as possible.
The Lord Chancellorconcurred in this, and named 11 o'clock as the hour at which the committee should meet.
The Marquess of Clanricardesaid, that as the bill was to have a retrospective effect, he should wish to see it have a more extensive range. He thought that everything possible should be done to prevent the most solemn of all contracts from being set aside by a quibble.
Lord Campbellexpressed a hope that the committee would be able, with very little delay, to prepare a prospective measure with respect to the law of marriages in Ireland.
§ Bill read a second time and referred to the committee.