§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE BISHOP OF ELY, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, its object was to remove all doubts as to the validity of marriages solemnized at the church at Stopsley, Bedfordshire, which was consecrated in 1862, but by some inadvertence remained for some time unapproved by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Lord Bishop of Ely.)
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, that though he did not intend to oppose the second reading, he must complain of the introduction of Bills applying only to particular localities. There had been sufficient experience of the state of things which this Bill sought to remedy, and the question would be much more conveniently dealt with in one general measure.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow.
§ House adjourned at half past Four o'clock, till To-morrow, a quarter past Ten o'clock.