§ On the Motion of Viscount Melbourne the Bill was read a second time.
The Duke of Newcastlethen said, that he had a question to put to the noble Viscount opposite, which he considered of some importance. He was anxious to know whether the noble Viscount would have any objection to lay on the Table of the House, the Minute Book kept by the Court of Commissioners sitting in London. He had reason to believe, that the production of this Minute Book would relieve the House from the considerable difficulty arising from what he was going to call the blunders, but certainly from the mistakes contained in the Report of the Commissioners.
§ Viscount Melbourneanswered, that the Minute Book was kept merely with a view of managing and directing the affairs of the Board. He could not, therefore, agree to the production of such a document.
The Duke of Newcastleobserved, that he did not see why such a book should not be produced. There was a Clause in the Poor-law Act directing that a Minute Book should be kept, and all the proceedings of the Board should be entered into it. He wished to know, then, whether the noble Viscount would produce the Minute Book of the Corporation Commissioners. [Viscount Melbourne, "No!"] Well, then, let it go forth that the noble Viscount refuses to produce the document.
§ Bill to be committed.