§ LORD BELPER, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill, said it was to enable the Metropolitan Police Courts to be closed on any day observed as a bank 467 holiday. The immediate object of the Bill was to enable the courts to be closed on June 22, the day for the celebration of the 60th year of the Queen's reign. The courts were closed on thanksgiving days, but there was a technical reason for not proclaiming June 22 as a Thanks giving day, because, under the Bills of Exchange Act, bills due on bank holidays became payable the day alter, but bills due on thanksgiving days were payable the day before. The Bill had passed the House of Commons, and it was desirable it should become law without delay.
§ Read 2a (according to Order), and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.