HC Deb 27 May 1852 vol 121 cc1252-5

Order for Committee read.

MR. BOUVERIE

said, that this was an enabling Bill—to enable certain burghs in Scotland to raise money for the purpose of improving their harbours. The Bill had been recommended by two Commissions, and had been revised and approved of both by the Board of Admiralty and the Board of Trade. It was considered of very great importance by these burghs, because at present they had no means of improving their harbours without the power of raising money on the security of rates which the Bill would enable them to levy. He was informed that unless some measure of this kind was passed during this Parliament, some of these harbours would become utterly unless during the ensuing winter.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

MR. FORBES MACKENZIE

said, he must oppose the Motion, upon the ground that it was not desirable that these small boroughs should have the power of levying rates on exports and imports.

MR. E. ELLICE

said, he should support the Bill, and hoped the right hon. President of the Board of Trade would state the reasons of the Government for opposing the measure.

MR. HENLEY

said, he was not satisfied that the Bill placed a proper check upon the taxing power proposed to be conferred by the Bill. Nothing could be done under the Bill before the summer of 1853, and therefore it was unnecessary to pass it in a hurried manner.

MR. PORTAL

would suggest that at that late hour the Committee on the Bill should be postponed.

Amendment proposed, to leave out from the word "That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words "this House will, upon this day three months, resolve itself into the said Committee," instead thereof.

Question put, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."

The House divided:—Ayes 64; Noes 106: Majority 42.

Words added;—Main Question, as amended, put, and agreed to.

Bill put off for three months.