§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HALSBURY), in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, explained that its object was to remove any doubts which might exist as to the validity of certain marriages performed by a person who pretended to be a clergyman, who professed that he had taken Orders in the Church of Rome, and who was in consequence received into the English Church. This person obtained a benefice and performed marriages in the parish. Grave doubts had been entertained as to the validity of these marriages, and consequently it was thought desirable that a special Act of Parliament should be passed.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2,a accordingly; Committee negatived; then Standing Order No. XXXV. considered (according to order), and dispensed with; Bill read 3a, and passed, and sent to the Commons.