§ Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee read.
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, the matter dealt with in this Bill was one of considerable importance, although the Bill was not a lengthy one. Since the second reading he had received communications from several quarters asking that the Bill might receive very careful consideration at their Lordships' hands, and he thought it was necessary that it should receive that consideration. With that view he would propose that it should be referred to a Select Committee. The attempt to codify the law of England was an experiment; but he ventured to think that it was an experiment which would repay the trouble incurred by noble Lords who gave their services on the Committee. He understood that it was not the first time the Bill had been brought forward, but that it had already been introduced last Session in the House of Commons. During the interval it had been very carefully considered, and great pains had been taken to make it as efficient as possible; still, it was a matter of the greatest importance to the commercial world, and its discussion by a Select Committee of their Lordships would prove of great service. He therefore moved that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee.
§ LORD BRAMWELLwished to observe that he could not say the Bill was urgent, as the law was not altered— only codified. He should not oppose its reference to a Select Committee. At the same time, he thought the promoters of the Bill had some cause for complaint. They had been pressed to extend its operation to Scotland, and, having been induced to consent, were now the victims of their own good nature, for the objections raised against the Bill chiefly came from those persons who had asked that Scotland should be included in it.
§ Order discharged.
§ Bill referred to a Select Committee.
§ The Committee to be named on Friday next.