§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD BUCKMASTER)My Lords, only a few words are needed to explain this Bill. It is intended to extend to tenants for life, executors, and administrators of estates the power of delegating their powers which is now possessed by trustees under an Act that was passed last session. The powers that are given by this Bill are strictly confined. So far as tenants for life are concerned they are only at liberty to delegate their powers to trustees of the settlement. I need not remind your Lordships that that class of person is divided into two categories, and in whichever category he comes he is a person who has been carefully selected to look after the interests of the settlement, and it is only to such a person that the powers can be delegated. With regard to executors and administrators, the powers can be delegated to a co-executor or co-administrator or any other person who would be capable of being appointed by a Court. There are also in the Bill provisions which enable anybody to act with security under a power of attorney that has been granted notwithstanding the fact that the person who granted it may be dead, or may have become insane, if knowledge of such death or insanity is not brought to the notice of the person who is transacting the business. That power already exists with regard to powers of attorney in certain particulars. I beg to move.
§ 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 on Monday next.