§ Order of Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (The Earl of HALSBURY)My Lords, this Bill is one which I think will receive your Lordships' general assent. From time to time it does occur, through carelessness or ignorance, that marriages are celebrated in places where they have no right to be celebrated, and other objections sometimes arise. Your Lordships are periodically troubled with Bills to validate those marriages. The object of the present Bill is to simplify the procedure and to enable the necessary steps to be taken by Provisional Order, which, however, will require to be sanctioned subsequently by Parliament. The sole object of the Bill is to simplify the procedure, Parliament still retaining sole control in the matter.
Standing Order No. XXXIX. having been suspended, Bill read 2a (The Lord Chancellor); Committee negatived; Bill read 3a, and passed.