§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I beg to move the second reading of this Bill, in pursuance of the pledge which I gave the other night. It would not be necessary in truth to introduce this Bill merely for the purpose of abolishing the office of Secretary of Presentations, or for the transfer of the office of Secretary of Presentations to some one else. That, of course, could be done by a direction to one of my Secretaries; but the new arrangement which has been made renders this necessary in regard to providing for the duties of that office. There were a number of formal acts which were required to be done specially by the Secretary of Presentations—such as the making out of Patents, recording documents, and the like; and 870 it has been thought better to transfer them to the Clerk of the Crown. He will therefore now have those duties to discharge which have hitherto been performed by the Secretary of Presentations, whose office is to be abolished.
§ Read 2a (according to order), and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.
§ House adjourned at half past Five o'clock, to Monday next, a quarter before Eleven o'clock.