§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, this was a Bill introduced by the late Government. Under the Foreign Jurisdiction Act, Her Majesty was authorized to exercise any power or jurisdiction which she possessed in countries out of her dominions in the same way as if that jurisdiction had been acquired by cession or conquest. It was considered important to confer an appellate jurisdiction upon the High Court of Bombay in cases arising at Zanzibar and other places; but it was doubted whether that jurisdiction could be given. The late Law Officers of the Crown thought that the Foreign Jurisdiction Act did not give this power, and the Bill was consequently introduced. He thought they were right in this opinion, and therefore moved the second reading of the Bill.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow.
§ House adjourned at a quarter before Seven o'clock, till To-morrow, half past Ten o'clock.