§ Order for Committee read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."—(Mr. Rathbone.)
§ MR. SERJEANT SPINKSsaid, that he did not wish to delay the progress of the Bill; but he thought it right to say that he had received communications that convinced him that before the House went into Committee upon it there ought to be a longer opportunity afforded the country for considering its provisions. He would therefore appeal to the hon. Member for Liverpool not to attempt to push the Bill through that night; he had already achieved a great success in getting his Bill to a second reading so soon in the Session; and, therefore, he did hope that he would be good enough not to press it through that night.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned." —(Mr. Serjeant Spinks.)
§ MR. COURTNEYsaid, he had not the privilege of being present when the Bill was read a second time, but he understood that discussion of its principle had then been deferred, and the Government appeared still unwilling to say anything about it. He thought it would be much better for the Government to state its opinion of the Bill, rather than to wait until it went into Committee. It struck him as harmless; but as already indicated by the hon. and learned Member for Oldham, there might be some difference of opinion entertained. He hoped it was not asking too much to request the Government then to state what opinion they entertained of the Bill.
§ MR. SALTwas of opinion that a general assent had been given to the principle of the Bill, and did not wish on behalf of the Government to oppose the Bill; but he thought that the object of the promoters of the Bill would be best carried out if they would consent to go into Committee pro forma, in order to give time for further consideration. The Bill touched some very important questions, upon which opinions, and perhaps interests, in large towns in 944 various parts of the country differed. With no wish to delay the progress of the Bill, he yet hoped the promoter would be content with going into Committee pro forma.
§ MR. RATHBONEwould be very glad to meet the suggestion, if he were sure of obtaining an opportunity of taking the sense of the House on the question. It must, however, be in the knowledge of the House, that in the course of Business last Session, after a certain period of the Session had arrived, it was perfectly possible for one single Member to defeat the wishes of the House with regard to the Bill. Under those circumstances, he did hope that the opposition to the Bill going into Committee would not be pressed, though he should be perfectly willing to concur in any opinion of the House if against the Bill. He thought it would be better to go on now rather than to sit up night after night, with the chance of carrying the Bill being liable to be defeated by a single Member, as was the case last Session.
§ Question put, and negatived.
§ Original Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill considered in Committee, and reported; as amended, to be considered To-morrow.