§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND (Lord ASHBOURNE)My Lords, I have to ask your Lordships to accord a Second Reading to this Bill, which comes to your Lordships from the House of Commons. It is a short Bill, which is introduced to meet a difficulty which arose in reference to the Charitable Loans Act, 1843. Certain legal objections were taken to promissory notes that were current at the time owing to certain matters—non-residence, or the fact of renewals and other matters— and it was deemed right to set, the matter on a clear basis by an Act of Parliament. This Bill accordingly was introduced, and it has passed all its stages in the other House. It validates bills and promissory notes subject to equitable conditions, and provides for accounts being taken where necessary on equitable terms. It gives ample power to the judge to do all that is right in a matter of ordering payment by instalments and so forth. I trust that, under all the circumstances, your Lordships will think fit to accord the Bill a Second Reading.
§ Bill read 2a (according to Order), and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Thursday next.