HL Deb 19 May 1868 vol 192 cc509-10

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND

, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, its object was to continue the Act for suppressing the emission of alkaline vapours from chemical works, passed five years ago, on the recommendation of a Committee which was presided over by the noble Earl (the Earl of Derby). The Act had since been in operation to the great benefit of the public, without having inflicted any damage or inconvenience to the proprietors of works of that nature.

Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a" —The Duke of Richmond.

THE EARL OF DERBY

said, the Act had not only conferred a direct benefit on the neighbourhood in which it had been put in operation; but it had proved indirectly beneficial to the manufacturers themselves; for, since it became law, processes had been discovered by which the noxious fumes, formerly evolved from those works, had been utilized. The same noxious gases were thrown off from other works—copper smelting works, for instance. He thought it a pity that a beneficial Act should be confined to chemical works only; and hoped that a Bill would be brought in extending the Act to other manufactories.

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND

said, that the question of applying the provisions of this Bill to copper smelting was at present: under the consideration of the Government.

LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY

thought that the extension would be advisable; but at the same time nothing should be done until it had been ascertained that processes similar to those which had been found beneficial as applied to chemical works were equally applicable to other works.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

pointed out that under the guise of a Continuance Bill, it really proposed to make the Alkali Act perpetual. He had himself, however, no objection to that proposition, and would rather suggest that it should be made a perpetual Act.

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND

said, that perhaps some clauses might have been framed which would have effected the object of his noble Friends; but the Government was not in possession of sufficient information to enable them to deal with the matter in a satisfactory manner. He would propose in Committee to strike out the word '' Continuance."

Motion agreed to.

Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Friday next.