Mr. Alderman Wood,in moving the second reading of the Public Carriages' 1058 Metropolis Bill, said, that as he understood objections were entertained on the part of some Gentlemen to the measure, he should propose, in order to save the time of the House, that the Bill should be read a second time pro formâ, and that it should be afterwards committed to a Select Committee up-stairs. He wished it to be understood, that m supporting the present Bill his object was not to diminish, but to increase, the advantages afforded by the employment of public vehicles. He concluded by moving that the Bill be read a second time pro formâ, intending, after that motion should be agreed to, to propose that a committee up-stairs should. be appointed to consider the provisions of the Bill, with power to summon and examine witnesses.
§ The Speakercalled the attention of the House to the course intended to be taken by the hon. Alderman with regard to the present Bill. The House had for certain stated reasons permitted the Bill to be introduced, and to be read a first time; and it was now proposed, after reading the Bill a second time, to refer it to a Committee up stairs, and to give that Committee the power of hearing evidence, with the view, it would seem, of establishing a new ground for the Bill, different from that on account of which the House had consented to its introduction. Such a course was at variance with the usual practice, and if permitted, might obviously lead to great inconvenience.
§ Mr. Warburtonthought, that if the hon. Alderman had given notice of his intention to move the appointment of a Select Committee to consider the Bill, with power to call for persons, papers, and records, no objection would then have been made to the proposal. With regard to the measure itself, he objected to that which was its main object—to delegate the power of legislating with respect to public vehicles exclusively to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Police Magistrates.
§ Mr. Jervisconceived the point noticed by the Speaker to be one of great importance, as regarded the practice of the House. If the principles or facts on which the Bill was founded were in any degree doubtful, then the course which the hon. Alderman ought to adopt was, in the first place, to withdraw the present Bill entirely; then to propose the appointment of a Committee to consider the sub- 1059 ject and examine witnesses; and lastly, to found a new Bill on the report of that Committee, whenever it should be made.
§ Mr. George F. Youngsaid, that the public loudly and almost universally called for some measure of this description. The principle was admitted, and the details might be agreed upon hereafter. He hoped the House would concur in the second reading; of the Bill.
§ The Speakerremarked that he had been led to make the observations which he had offered to the House in order that the hon. Alderman might at the earliest moment be made aware of the course which it was in his power to pursue. The question now before the House was, whether this Bill should be read a second time.
§ The Bill read a second time, and referred to a Select Committee.