HC Deb 12 April 1853 vol 125 cc1074-8

Bill, as amended, considered.

MR. ELLICE

said, he had to move the addition of a clause to this Bill. The object of the clause was to place under the provisions of the Burgh Reform Act (Scotland) certain boroughs which were exempted at the time of the passing of that Statute.

Clause brought up, and read 1°.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the said Clause be now read a Second Time."

MR. EWART

said, that as representing one of the burghs referred to, he wished to give the clause his support, as removing an evil from these burghs which ought not to have been left by the Scotch Burgh Reform Act.

MR. DUNLOP

said, he could not agree to the introduction of the clause into the Bill, as it was entirely foreign to its object. He knew not where such a practice would end of foisting in clauses upon anything in any Bill that happened to be before the House. He was quite sure, though he was now unable to state what were the grounds on which the framers of the Scotch Burgh Reform Act had deliberately rejected these burghs from its provisions, that those grounds were satisfactory to them; and in their number was the late Lord Jeffrey, then Lord Advocate. He could not agree to the clause being introduced.

The LORD ADVOCATE

thought, after what had been said by the hon. Member for Greenock (Mr. Dunlop), that the hon. Gentleman could not press his clause, which was quite abhorrent from the object of the Bill.

Mr. ELLICE

said, he would withdraw his clause.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn; Clause withdrawn.

The House adjourned at a quarter after Twelve o'clock.