§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
§ LORD HALSBURYsaid, this Bill was intended to improve the procedure and practice of a very ancient Court of Record in Liverpool, which he believed had done good work in its day; and it certainly had bad from time to time presiding over it very distinguished Judges. The object of the Bill was to both simplify and to increase its usefulness in the district. Among other things, 855 it was intended the Court should have jurisdiction to try causes remitted from the High Court, and the circumstances under which they were remitted, and some other minor circumstances with respect to them were clearly defined. He need not detain their Lordships by making any further statement than to say that he believed the matter had been under the consideration of the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack, and that he approved of the Bill.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Lord Halsbury.)
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HERSCHELL)My Lords, I am glad to be able to support the Second Reading of this Bill relating to the Liverpool Court of Passage and its jurisdiction. Its provisions were introduced into an Omnibus Bill relating to the Liverpool Corporation; but it appeared to me it was not desirable to deal with the subject in a Private Bill of that description, and I thought the clauses relating to this matter should be dealt with in a Public Bill. I promised, therefore, to give such a Bill my support, subject to the Amendments in the original proposal desired by the Liverpool Corporation. The Amendments proposed have been acceded to by the Corporation, speaking generally, and I am very happy to be able to give the Bill my support.
§ VISCOUNT CROSSMy Lords, I have received urgent requests from Liverpool to support this measure. I am happy to give it my support, and I do not think it would be right I should allow it to pass without saying so.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow.