§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYsaid, he hoped the noble and learned Earl would allow the Bill next in order (the Pawnbrokers Bill) to stand over for a while. The trade stated that they had been taken a good deal by surprise by some of the provisions, which seemed very severe, and they asked that more time might be given for consideration.
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, that, in reply to requests which had been made to him, he had expressed his willingness to postpone the Bill for nearly a fortnight. In the Bill now before the House all the clauses which had special reference to the pawnbrokers were omitted. With some other exceptions, which he explained, the Stolen Goods Bill was the same that was introduced last year; and having made that explanation, ho hoped the House would allow the Bill to he read a second time.
Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday the 21st instant.