§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (EARL LOREBURN)My Lords, I need preface the Motion that this Bill be read a second time with very few words. This Bill is an old friend, or an old enemy, of your Lordships. It was in substance first introduced by the late Lord Davey. It passed this House twice, I think, substantially in the form in which it now and it has passed the House of Commons three times; but such is the inexorable difficulty in passing comparatively small Bills through Parliament under our present congestion of work that the Bill has hitherto escaped becoming an Act of Parliament. Last year it very nearly did so, but there was a difficulty with regard to Clause 3 between the building societies and the Incorporated Law Society. I considered the matter and found that there was some ground for complaint. The parties have now, however, agreed, and one of the most distinguished Judges on the Bench whom I asked to look into this difficult and complicated point has thoroughly approved, and I also approve of this clause. That is the only change in substance in the Bill.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow.