§ House in Committee (according to Order).
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, that to his great regret the Select Committee to which this Bill was referred had struck out several most valuable clauses, but he hoped the House might before long be induced to adopt them. The Bill as it stood still contained important amendments of the law which he believed would be found beneficial in practice, and he therefore submitted it to the favourable consideration of their Lordships. Two clauses had been omitted by mistake, and he believed there was no objection to their introduction.
LORD BROUGHAMshared in the regret expressed by his noble and learned Friend at the decision which had been arrived at by the Select Committee. He hoped that next year, his noble Friends who had overpowered the Lord Chancellor and himself in the Committee would come to, he would not say a wiser, but a different opinion.
§ LORD CHELMSFORDdissented from the view taken by the noble and learned Lords who had just addressed the Committee. He believed that the Bill had been much improved by the omission of the clauses referred to; those which remained would doubtless prove exceedingly useful.
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, the supporters of the Bill in its original shape had been only compelled to yield to what lawyers called the vis major, which could not be resisted.
§ Amendments made. The Report thereof to be received To-morrow.
§ House adjourned at Seven o'clock, till To-morrow Half-past Ten o'clock.