HC Deb 08 May 1868 vol 191 cc2060-2

Order for Third Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the third time."—(Mr. M'Cullagh Torrens.)

MR. AYRTON

said, that as the Bill stood persons who had no interest in the finances of the metropolis would be at liberty to impose burdens on the taxpayers. With a view of having this altered he moved the re-committal of the Bill.

Amendment proposed, To leave out from the words "Bill be" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words "re-committed, for the purpose of amending the Schedule,"—(Mr. Ayrton,) —instead thereof.

SIR JAMES FERGUSSON

said, this was not a Government Bill, but last year the First Minister of the Crown stated that the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Torrens), who introduced it, would have his sympathy. The question raised by the hon. and learned Member for the Tower Hamlets (Mr. Ayrton) was not a new one. The House, after a full discussion of the subject, had decided on adopting the area of the Metropolitan Board of Works. No sufficient reasons for re-considering that decision had been advanced either by the hon. Member or by the deputation that had waited that morning upon his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and his right hon. Friend was of opinion that there were no good grounds for re-committing the Bill.

MR. LABOUCHERE

said, he apprehended that the effect of the Bill would be to increase and not as was supposed to diminish the inequalities of taxation in the metropolis. The measure would impose a charge of 2d. in the pound for the purpose of carrying out objects which could be effected equally well without it. The vestries, and not the Board of Works which did not possess the confidence of the ratepayers, ought to be charged with carrying out the measure, and he would appeal to the hon. Member for Finsbury to agree to its being re-committed.

MR. MELLY

, as representing a large constituency of 150,000 persons, objected to the re-committal of the Bill, which he hoped would be at once read a third time and passed.

COLONEL HOGG

said, that the accusations made against the Metropolitan Board of Works were unfounded. The Board did not wish for additional responsibilities, although they would discharge to the best of their ability any fresh duties which Parliament might impose upon them.

MR. FAWCETT

thought it was altogether too late to raise the objections made by the hon. Member for the Tower Hamlets.

MR. HARVEY LEWIS

said, he felt that the metropolis had not had opportunity enough to consider this Bill. The Bill had been hurried through the House and therefore it ought to be re-committed.

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

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read the third time, and passed.