BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE—HIGHWAYS BILL. (Hansard, 13 July 1846)

§ SIR J. GRAHAM
There are three 1066 Orders of the Day which stand for this evening, with reference to which I wish to make some observations. The first is the Highways Bill, which stands for the second reading, the principle of which has not been adopted by the House. I observe that several petitions have been presented against this Bill, and different opinions are entertained respecting it; and, looking at the period of the Session, the length of the Bill, and the progress made in the Bill, I think it would be better that I should at once withdraw it, and let it become a dropped order. With respect to another Bill, the Poor Removal Bill, that has been read a second time; and I confess I am most anxious that, at least as to some portions of that Bill, some progress should be made in the present Session; and I allude more particularly to that part of it which provides that persons residing for a fixed number of years should have the right of not being removed from their residence. There are other parts of the Bill which I am of opinion are not necessarily concomitant with that provision, and for which it is not necessary to demand the sanction of the present Parliament. But, considering that this is a measure of so much importance, I do not think it expedient that an individual Member of the House should take charge of it. I should be quite willing, if it be the wish of the House and of the noble Lord opposite and his Colleagues, to take charge of the Bill, to which I attach great importance; but, upon the whole, I think, subject to the concurrence of the House, that it will be better to leave it in the hands of Her Majesty's present Government, who will deal with it in such a manner as they shall think best for the public good. I propose, therefore, to postpone this Order of the Day till Thursday next; and on Thursday the noble Lord will say what course he will take with respect to it. The other measure I refer to has come down from the other House; its principle has, I believe, received the sanction of this House. I attach great importance to this measure, with respect to which there is no great difference of opinion. It is a measure for enlarging the powers given to the Enclosure Commissioners respecting disputed boundaries; and, generally speaking, for improving and enlarging the powers given by the Act of last Session. There are some clauses which I wish to introduce into this Bill, and I hope the House will allow it to go through Committee pro formâ; and if this arrangement is convenient 1067 to the Government and to the House, it would afford the House an opportunity of exercising its judgment upon the subject. These are the arrangements which I propose to make with, the consent of the House.

MR. V. SMITH
suggested to the right hon. Baronet whether, instead of withdrawing the Highways Bill, he could not proceed with parts of the Bill which were not objected to, and which might pass with the consent of the House. It was a measure very much wanted. There was one provision making it compulsory on districts instead of parishes, which was a valuable arrangement, as well as the putting highway rates under a more effectual audit. The right hon. Baronet had earned so much honour by this measure, that he hoped he would not cast off a Bill which was so beneficial, and parts of which he had an opportunity of passing without any difficulty whatever.

§ SIR J. GRAHAM
I am not disposed to shrink from any personal labour in endeavouring to carry the measure referred to by the right hon. Gentleman; but when I look at the late period of the Session, and at the amount of business of paramount importance which remains to be transacted, I cannot think it possible that in the present Session sufficient time can be given to this Bill. Regarding the enactments to which the right hon. Gentleman attaches importance, namely, that the management of highways in districts should be made compulsory, that is the essence of the measure, and the machinery to carry it out is contained in the Bill; that is the best part of the Bill, and yet it is objected to in many quarters. So that, upon the whole, it seems better that the measure should stand over till another Session. But if the right hon. Gentleman pleases, I shall be glad to hand over the measure to him.

§ SIR G. GREY
I think the principle of the Bill is a good one; but, looking at the opposition it has met with in various quarters, the postponement of it, I think, will tend rather to advance than retard the measure.