§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Lord Chancellor.)
THE EARL OF MILLTOWNcomplained of the rapidity with which this Bill was being hurried through the House. It was only introduced a few days since, and appeared to be a most important measure, as it proposed to repeal no less than 137 modern Acts of Parliament. He hoped the Motion for the second reading would not be persevered with.
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, inasmuch as the Bill dealt with such a number of Acts of Parliament, and as the noble Earl desired to look into details, he would not ask their Lordships to go into Committee on it for a week or 10 days. With regard to the principle, the Bill was one of a series, some of which had already been passed, which had for their object the repeal of ob- 121 solete Acts of Parliament. The Acts it was now proposed to repeal had been carefully considered by the gentlemen who had drawn the Bill, and the questions raised by them during its preparation had been considered by himself, either alone or with the assistance of other Judges. He hoped their Lordships would assent to the second reading.
Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole Muse on Thursday the 2nd of August next.