§ Bill brought up and read 1a.
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, he was desirous of proceeding with this Bill without any unnecessary delay, but as it was a measure of the greatest importance, and contained a great number of clauses, he thought it was one that would require great consideration. Wishing to consult the convenience of noble Lords on both sides of the House he would name Friday week for the second reading, but he was prepared to name any other day which would meet with general concurrence.
THE EARL OF THE DERBYsaid, he certainly did not intend to offer any opposition to the measure. Considering that the Bill had passed the other House of Parliament with the approbation generally of all parties—considering it was one which was desired by noble Lords on both sides of the House, he thought the noble and learned Lord, if it were more convenient to him, might fix an earlier day than Friday week 323 for the second reading without any objection being offered to such a course. It was, however, a Bill which required very careful examination as regarded its numerous details, and for that reason he hoped the noble and learned Lord would allow at least ten days to elapse between the second reading and the Committee upon it. He certainly thought that the progress of the measure would be much facilitated if it were referred to the consideration of a Select Committee. He did not make that suggestion from the slightest wish to delay the Bill. On the contrary, considering that it was a complicated measure, and one involving many important details, he thought that the provisions of the Bill would be more satisfactorily discussed in a Select Committee composed of noble Lords who took an interest in legal and mercantile subjects than in a Committee of the whole House, in which there would probably be a great number of Members who did not feel much interest in such questions.
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, the proposition of the noble Earl to give ample time for the consideration of the details of the Bill was so reasonable that he was perfectly willing to accede to it. As to the proposal of the noble Earl to refer the measure to a Select Committee, he begged respectfully to say that he would oppose such a course. When the noble Earl's Government brought in a Bill of a similar character the noble Earl declined to refer his measure to a Select Committee, and a fortiori, this was a case in which the Bill ought not to be referred to a Select Committee, because it had already passed through the other House with the general consent of the whole commercial world. He had no doubt that there would be a large attendance on both sides when the discussion on the second reading came on, and when the Bill was in Committee; and, therefore, he had every reason to believe that it would receive a full and satisfactory consideration without the intervention of a Select Committee. After what had been said by the noble Earl, he would propose that the second reading should be taken on Tuesday next.
§ Bill to be read 2aon Tuesday next.
§ House adjourned at half-past Five o'clock, to Thursday next, half-past Ten o'clock.