§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT SIMON)My Lords, I can, I think, sufficiently explain the purpose of this Bill in two or three sentences. The Bill is really ancillary to a Bill which is being passed in Northern Ireland called the County Court (Jurisdiction) Bill. In order that the purposes which the Northern Ireland Parliament have before them may be effectuated, it is necessary also to pass a Bill through the Imperial Parliament. The reason is that, while legislation relating to the County Court in Northern Ireland is within the competence of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, legislation which would amend the existing law about the High Court in Northern Ireland is a reserved matter, and has therefore to be dealt with in Parliament here.
The general object is to increase the jurisdiction of the County Court so that, for example, it may deal with actions of contract up to £100, whereas at present it can do so only up to a figure of £50, with power in the High Court in Northern Ireland to transfer these smaller actions to the County Court. It follows that we need legislation here as well as in Northern Ireland, and this Bill—the terms of which I can, if necessary, explain more in detail—is simply for that purpose. Your Lordships can take it from me that the Bill is drafted in proper form. The matter is agreed with the authorities in Northern Ireland, and we shall merely be facilitating a piece of legislation which they desire to carry through. I beg to move that this Bill be read a second time.
§ 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.