§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD REDESDALE, in moving the second reading of this Bill, said, his object was to prevent way wardens from contracting for any works within their own districts, which were under the control of the Board of which they were members.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a
§ LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEYsaid, he was informed by the Home Secretary that the Bill was entirely unnecessary, as the case was provided form the Highways Act, by which such contracts were prohibited under a penalty and the Highways Act of last Session provided that all qualifications and disqualifications of surveyors of highways, and waywardens which existed under the old law should continue in force.
§ LORD REDESDALEwas perfectly convinced the Home Secretary was in error. The Highways Act provided that all powers, duties, rights, and incapacities which formerly attached to surveyors of highways should attach to the Highway Board, but it did not say that the incapacities should attach to each individual member of the Board; because, if so, the duties would also attach to each member, 1424 and the whole management would be thrown into utter confusion. At all events, the Bill could do no harm if it were passed, and it might accomplish what was intended but had not been effected.
§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, there would be no objection to read the Bill a second time on the understanding that the opinion of the Law Officers should be obtained before the next stage.
§ Motion agreed to: Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.