HC Deb 06 May 1873 vol 215 cc1607-8

Order for Second Reading read.

SIR JOHN LUBBOCK,

in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, the monuments it was intended to preserve had in past times been upheld owing to the traditional—he did not like to call them superstitious—feelings of the people. That state of things had, however, passed away, and now some of the most interesting relics of antiquity, including many of our Ancient Camps, were being sacrificed owing to the increasing value of land; and the material of which the megalithic monuments were composed was used for building and other purposes. He held in his hand a letter from the President of the Society of Antiquaries, expressing a conviction that unless some such Bill as this were passed, very few of them would long remain. [Cries of Move.] Seeing that the House concurred in the object he had in view, it was needless for him to enter into particulars, and he should therefore move the second reading.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Sir John Lubbock.)

MR. BRUCE

sympathized with the object which his hon. Friend had in view, and on the part of the Govern- ment he had no objection to offer to the second reading of the Bill. He desired to say, however, that while the Government were willing to give every facility towards the institution of a body to take charge of these monuments, and towards enabling it to acquire the necessary property in the land on which they were placed, still they were not of opinion that it was a purpose to which the public funds should be applied. Nor did he think it was necessary that the public funds should be so applied. He was sure there were persons sufficiently interested in antiquarian matters to supply the requisite funds, and any appeal made to them by the hon. Baronet, who had done so much to elucidate the history of these monuments, would be cheerfully responded to. If the hon. Baronet would consent to expunge the provision as to the Treasury, the Government would give him every assistance; otherwise, as a matter of principle, they must oppose a Bill to which they had no other objection.

SIR JOHN LUBBOCK

said, that under the circumstances, he had no option but to accept the conditions of the right hon. Gentleman.

Motion agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed for Friday.

Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members not being present,

House adjourned at a quarter after Eight o'clock.