§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (The Earl of HALSBURY)My Lords, two years ago this Bill was passed through all its stages in your Lordships' House, but since then nothing has been heard of it, and I conclude that it must have dropped out at the end of the session without being noticed. The measure is agreed to on both sides of the House. I desire now to make a further attempt to get it passed into law. The Bill is in a great measure a Consolidation Bill. The Admiralty are desirous of putting a new naval guide at the disposal of officers in the Navy and this Bill relates to a region in which it is desirable that the law should be consolidated.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2ª.— (The Lord Chancellor.)
376§ LORD ALVERSTONEMy Lords, I was unaware until I came down, to the House to-day that this Bill was on the Paper, but I should like to say a few words in its support. I consider it to be extremely important that this Bill should be passed. At the outbreak of the South African War, when I was Attorney-General, it was found that virtually the rules and practice of the various prize Courts had not been considered for twenty-five or thirty years from the point of view of putting them on an organised basis. I know by personal knowledge, from communications made to me during the last two or three years by those who have been concerned in the drafting of the Bill, which was commenced during the time I was Attorney General, that there is the greatest need for the measure, and I trust your Lordships will pass it and that it will become law this session.
§ On Question, Bill read 2ª and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday next.