HL Deb 08 July 1862 vol 168 cc13-4

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

THE DUKE OF ARGYLL

, in moving the second reading of the Bill, said, it contained no less than 449 clauses; and he could assure their Lordships that it was a most salutary measure. The Bill reflected the highest credit on the gentleman connected with the Social Science Association who had prepared it, containing as it did some of the best and most salutary portions of existing Acts. 300 of the clauses were taken from the English Police Act, and the others from local Acts. The Bill had received the assent of the municipal authorities in Scotland and undergone the revision of the Scotch law officers of the Crown.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.

LORD BROUGHAM

said, he had already presented a petition from the Council of the Social science Association in favour of the Bill, which also had received the approval of all the Burghs of Scotland.

THE DUKE OF MONTROSE

said, that there was this novelty in the Bill, that it gave new rating powers for the purposes of the Act. He thought that some of the clauses would require reconsideration, more especially with respect to the question of parishes availing themselves of the provisions of the Bill.

LORD POLWARTH

approved the principle of the Bill, which he took to be the improvement of the health and order of the towns of Scotland; but he also thought that some of the details would require a good deal of examination, and he hoped that the Committee would not be fixed for too early a day.

THE DUKE OF ARGYLL

said, that he proposed to take the Committee on Monday next.

Motion agreed to.

Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Monday next.