§ Moved, That the Bill be now read the Second Time.—(The Lord St. Leonards.)
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, that since the first reading he had looked through the Bill, which he thought would probably be a very useful measure. But his noble and learned Friend (Lord St. Leonards) had inserted clauses in it excepting sales ordered by the Court of Chancery from the operations of the measure. It was perfectly true that the precautions taken by the Court of Chancery with respect to sales carried on under its orders rendered such a Bill as that under consideration unnecessary; but, at the same time, no harm would result if the Court of Chancery sales were not excepted, and it was very possible that if the excepting clauses were allowed to remain an invidious construction might be placed upon the measure.
§ LORD CHELMSFORDentirely approved the principle of the Bill, and concurred with the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack in recommending the omission of those clauses which excepted sales made by order of the Court of Chancery.
§ LORD KINGSDOWNalso expressed approval of the Bill.
§ LORD ST. LEONARDS, in replying to the objections taken to the measure, was understood to say that the Court of Chancery had machinery at its command to do all for its suitors that it was proposed by this Bill to do for the people at large, and it was, therefore, unnecessary to give to the Court of Chancery what it already had.
§ Motion agreed to: Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday next.