Lord Brougham, in moving the Committee said, that from all he had learned with respect to the subject of this Bill since its introduction, he was more desirous than ever that it should pass, as he was thoroughly convinced of its great importance. Indeed, he was so anxious to see it passed into a law that he was willing for the present to give up all those parts of the Bill which were objected to; the appointment of judicial members to the Privy Council being amongst those which he relinquished, 122 than to risk the chance of the Bill not passing this Session. The portion which he intended to retain would, however, effect a very great improvement in the Privy Council, in respect of the law of Patents and of Appeals from the Colonies. They were all of opinion, that nothing required an improvement more than the proceedings affecting the Law of Divorce.
The Bishop of Londoninquired whether the noble and learned Lord meant still to continue those parts of the Bill which related to divorce?
The Bishop of Londonthought, that before the Bill passed the right rev. Bench ought to meet and consider how far they could agree to so important a change in the law as affecting the Church.
Lord Broughamsaid, there had been no difficulty or difference in the Committee, even among the rev. Prelates who were Members, as to the necessity of making some change in the administration of the law relating to divorce. The question was, how the change should be effected.
The Lord Chancellorsuggested whether the noble and learned Lord would not be hazarding the loss of the Bill by insisting on those Clauses respecting divorce. He had suggested at the commencement of the Session that they should be made the subject of a separate measure.
Lord Broughamwould take the suggestion of his noble and learned Friend into his most anxious consideration. He would print the Bill in its present shape, and then there would be full time to consider it. He wished also to state with respect to this Bill, what he was sure his noble and learned Friend would bear him out in, that in proposing to withdraw the provision of the Bill which related to the appointment of the three Judges of the Privy Council, he did so without reference to any wish or interest of his own. He did this the more anxiously because the most ridiculous opinion had prevailed elsewhere that he had destined one of those places for himself. His noble and learned Friend on the Woolsack and other noble Lords were aware that the opinion was utterly without foundation.
§ Bill committed pro formâ; amendments made; and ordered to be printed.