HC Deb 14 August 1883 vol 283 cc545-7

Amendment proposed, in page 73, line 41, after the word "thereof," to leave out the word "or."—(Mr. Dixon-Hartland.)

Question proposed, "That the word 'or' stand part of the Bill."

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment proposed, in page 74, line 1, after the word "any," to insert the word "improper."—(Sir John Lubbock.)

Question proposed, "That the word 'improper' be there inserted."

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

MR. SLAGG

, in moving, as an Amendment, to leave out the 26th section, which, as it stood, provided that no person acting under a general or special proxy should vote in favour of any resolution which would directly or indirectly place himself, his partner, or employer in a position to receive any remuneration out of the estate of the debtor, otherwise than as a creditor rateably with the other creditors, said, that the reason why he did so was that, in his opinion, it would operate prejudicially on societies existing for the protection of trade. If it were intended to guard against improper voting by individuals, the object was already secured by Section 20 of the Schedule.

Amendment proposed, in page 74, line 25, to leave out Section 26.—(Mr. Slagg.)

Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Bill."

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

said, it had been represented to him—and the justice of the representation he quite admitted—that the section, as it stood, would press hardly on the associations referred to, the custom with such bodies being to appoint agents, who attended and voted on their behalf. He was unwilling to see the section entirely struck out; and he would, therefore, point out that it might be met by the insertion of a Proviso to the effect that no person should vote for himself as trustee under a special proxy to that effect.

MR. SLAGG

said, in that case, he would withdraw his Amendment.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

said, that he would take care and see that those words were inserted "elsewhere."

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Schedule agreed to.

MR. SPEAKER

asked when the right hon. Gentleman proposed to take the third reading?

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

Now, Sir.

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

MR. DILLWYN

said, he felt bound to congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on the way in which the Grand Committee, whose discussions he had conducted, had worked. At first, he (Mr. Dillwyn) was not sanguine with respect to the system of Grand Committees; but as regarded the Bill under notice he would now admit his error. It had been a great success, and might be the precursor of a system of legislation which would be of much public service in the future.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read the third time, and passed.