HC Deb 11 July 1853 vol 129 cc86-7

Order for Committee read.

SIR GEORGE PECHELL

said, he must ask for the postponement of the measure, in consequence of the lateness of the hour [one o'clock].

SIR WILLIAM MOLESWORTH

said, that all he intended to effect by the proposed measure was, to apply the Health of Towns Act to those places where an anxiety prevailed for its enactment, but not to those localities where no desire for its extension had been exhibited.

COLONEL HARCOURT

said, that in the year 1851 some persons in Ryde had expressed a wish to have the provisions of the Act in question extended to that town. There had been a large majority of the corporation of Ryde, however, opposed to it upon that occasion, and subsequently a petition against its enactment had been pre- sented upon the part of the inhabitants of Ryde to that House. It had been stated, he believed, by the right hon. Gentleman, that in those cases in which a majority of the ratepayers were opposed to the enactment of the measure, it should not be applied; and he (Colonel Harcourt) should therefore call upon him to take the sentiments of the inhabitants of Ryde as expressed with reference to the subject into his consideration. He contended that no additional power should be granted until the Board of Health was placed upon a different footing.

MR. GEACH

said, it was a mistake to suppose that because a town council had voted in favour of this Bill, the borough which elected the council was favourable to it also. He thought this Bill ought not to be pressed on at that late hour, when the parties interested in it could have no opportunity of making their wishes known, and he hoped the House would not allow the Bill to be committed to-night.

MR. HALSEY

said, he must also resist the Motion for going into Committee, and he begged to inform the House that the town of Hertford, which was included in this Bill, did not wish for the interference of the Board of Health.

MR. COWPER

said, he must on the other hand, as one of the representatives for Hertford, declare that the majority of the inhabitants were decidedly in favour of the application of the Health Act to their town.

House in Committee; Bill considered.

House resumed; Committee reported.