METROPOLITAN INTERMENTS BILL. (Hansard, 22 April 1850)

§ LORD D. STUART
thought the right hon. Gentleman was pressing the measure in rather too rapid a manner; and although it had been printed and circulated, hardly sufficient time had been given, either to the House or to those out of doors who were interested in the question, to consider the provisions. He did not wish to oppose the principle; on the contrary he was anxious to see a Bill pass to prevent the continuance of that most injurious practice of interment in large towns. But this measure contained the power of rating to a 667 very large amount, and gave a great increase of patronage to the Government in the creation of offices with large salaries. If he did not oppose the second reading, it must he on the distinct and positive understanding that ample time he given to consider the Bill before the House went into Committee. He must not he told that while he was one of the most anxious for such a measure, he was inconsistent in now asking for delay. Nothing was more common than to see those who had neglected their duty—and the Government ought to have brought in such a measure not this year or last year, but years ago—when at last they set about doing it, they pushed on with too much rapidity, and hurried on their measures in a way to prevent proper consideration of them. Against this he was anxious to guard.

§ MR. FORBES
felt that a Bill which placed all the interments of the metropolis in the hands of the Government, should have been brought forward at an early hour of the evening.

§ MR. LACY
approved of the general principle of the measure, but there were many most objectionable details in it. He was, however, willing to reserve his arguments againat these until a future occasion.

§ SIR G. GREY
said, he should propose to take the Committee on Friday week, which would give nearly a fortnight for the consideration of the Bill.

§ MR. BRIGHT
thought this an inadequate time for the consideration of so important a measure.

§ MR. WYLD
said, the Bill contained some peculiar provisions, which he thought could not be conveniently discussed in a Committee of the whole House. New principles were introduced into it. The Government were intending to become undertakers, and then all the funerals in the metropolis were to be performed under the direction of the Board of Health. He hoped the Bill would be referred to a Select Committee.

§ MR. MACKINNON
said, that since the penny postage system, no measure of greater public importance had been introduced than that now under consideration. It might be opposed from factious motives, but he was sure it could be opposed on no other. The noble Lord the Member for Marylebone had twitted the Government for not bringing in the Bill sooner; yet in the same breath he blamed them for not postponing it to some indefinite period. 668 He hoped the Government would persevere with the measure, and not consent to delay it by referring it to a Select Committee.