§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, this is a Bill identical with one which was passed last Session, and which has teen rendered necessary in consequence of an artificial interpretation of the existing law which has created exceeding difficulty in commercial transactions in the City of Liverpool and elsewhere. By that interpretation certain commercial documents have been deemed bills of sale. It never was intended or contemplated by the Legislature that that should be the operation of it, and the present Bill which consists of a single clause is to exempt from the operation of the Bills of Sale Act those instruments, and to prevent injury to persons who are interested in the transaction of such business.
§ Read 2a (according to order), and committed to the Standing Committee for Bills relating to Law, &c.