§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR, in moving the Bill be now read the second time said, that it was founded upon the recommendations, unanimously agreed to, of a Commission of which his noble Friends the Master of the Rolls, Lord Cairns, the late Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and many eminent lawyers, were members. Its details, which had been divided into five parts, and which provided, among other things, for the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor and a staff of Chief Clerks and Assistant Clerks would, he believed, be more advantageously discussed in Committee, The second part abolished the office of Masters except one—namely, the office of Receiver. The third part assimilated the practice of the Court of Chancery in Ireland to that of the Court of Chancery in England. The fourth part made the fees payable in stamps instead of in money; and the fifth part comprised many details which came under no particular head. The Bill had come up to their Lordships after full and careful consideration in the other House.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Lord Chancellor.)
663§ LORD CRANWORTHsaid, that his general impression was that the business of the Irish Court was not sufficient for the existing staff; and it would be requisite, therefore, in his opinion, before passing this measure, to prove the necessity of the fresh appointment which it contemplated.
THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDEsaid, he was glad to find that the House of Commons, in spite of the important business which had been under consideration this Session, had managed to pass a Bill which he trusted would meet with their Lordships' approval.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.