§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES), in moving that the Bill 916 be now read a second time, said, that it consisted of only one section, and it was absolutely necessary that it should be passed. When it became necessary to postpone the consideration of the greater question, there arose this difficulty—that there were constituencies in which corrupt practices had extensively prevailed which had elected Members, and if those Members died, new ones could be elected; also, if there were a Dissolution of Parliament, new Members could be elected. The object of the Bill was to suspend for a limited time the holding of Parliamentary Elections in certain cities and boroughs.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Attorney General.)
§ MR. WARTONsaid, he thought that before they took away from a city or a borough the right to return Members there should be some reason given for it in the Bill.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for To-morrow.