§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. M'LAREN), in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, Returns similar to what were proposed by the Bill had been given for a series of years in England and Ireland, and it was desirable to extend the same to Scotland. The authority of Parliament, however, was necessary, in order to compel the local bodies to give the information. He would move the second reading of the Bill.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(The Lord Advocate.)
MR. DICK-PEDDIEdid not object to the second reading; but the Bill ought certainly to be in the hands of hon. Members.
§ GENERAL SIR GEORGE BALFOURsaid, that, though the Bill was prepared by the Lord Advocate at his request, and for which he was very grateful, yet they ought to object to the second reading of the Bill until it was in the hands of hon. Members. An extremely bad precedent would be set up by so doing, for he supposed there was absolute ignorance in every part of the House as to what was intended by the measure, except on the part of the Lord Advocate and himself.
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. M'LAREN)said, the Bill had come down from the Lords; but he would consent to an adjournment until Friday, so that it might be printed.
§ Motion, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Debate adjourned till Friday.