The Lord Advocaterose to submit a Motion to the House on a very important subject—that of Reforming the Municipal Constitution of the Royal Burghs of Scotland. It was a subject of which the discussion was likely to be monopolized by the Scotch Members, and he, therefore, would not then enter into any details of the measure. He believed, that it would be more convenient to the House, and more conducive to a saving of time, if the discussion were taken at a future period. He proposed, therefore, to read the Bill a first and a second time pro formâ, and after the second reading, he would move, that it be referred to a Select Committee. He would propose that this Committee should consist of all the Members for the Scotch burghs, about twenty-three, which would make a very proper Committee as to numbers. By so doing the House would not come to a discussion of the measure till it was well acquainted with it. He would then only move for leave to bring in a Bill to alter and amend the laws with respect to electing the Magistrates and Town Councils of Royal Burghs in Scotland.
§ Captain William Gordonexpressed his regret that the measure was not in the first instance referred to a Committee of Inquiry, as had been done with respect to the English and Irish Corporations. He hoped, too, that the learned Lord would not confine the Select Committee to the Members for Scotch burghs.
The Lord Advocateexplained, that a considerable time would elapse before the Committee could come to any conclusion, that the Bill would be amply discussed, and that the Committee would readily listen to any suggestions. As to placing other Members on the Committee, it would be open to hon. Members to name whom they pleased when the Committee was appointed.
§ Mr. Gillonwished to ask, when the Committee would begin its labours? He hoped nothing would be done till the Bill had been printed and sent to Scotland, so 568 that the opinion of those most interested in it might be obtained.
Mr. Kennedythought the Committee might begin its labours immediately. An extension of the time sufficient to make the Bill known, would, however, be given, and the whole discussion, both on its principle and on its details, might be gone into after the Committee had completed its labours.
§ Mr. Oswald gave his support to the Motion.
§ Captain Dunlopasked, whether the learned Lord meant to take any steps to improve the constitution of those boroughs which were not royal burghs? We understood the hon. Member to call them barony burghs.
The Lord Advocatebelieved, that his Majesty's Government had it in contemplation to propose a measure for them. He could certainly say, for himself, that he had a Bill in preparation to amend the constitution of the boroughs alluded to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Andrew Johnstondiffered from the hon. member for Aberdeenshire as to requiring a Committee of Inquiry, because the subject had already been much inquired into. Burgh Reform had agitated Scotland much more than Parliamentary Reform, and now that they had obtained the latter he hoped that the former would be also soon obtained. He recommended a sweeping and effectual Reform of the boroughs, similar to that which had been made of the Parliament, and not a bit-by-bit Reform.
§ Leave given.