Mr. Mark Phillipsreferred to a Report which had obtained circulation, that Ministers intended to extend the benefit of the Corporation Act to certain towns not included in the measure of last Session. It would be a matter of public convenience if the noble Lord would state whether such a report was well founded.
§ Lord John Russellwould explain what was the measure under the consideration of Government. It was not a measure for the purpose of obliging towns which at present had not Corporations to accept them, but it had occurred to Ministers to consider whether, with reference to the clause of the Bill of last Session, which enabled towns to have Corporations, it might not be proper to give facilities for making those Corporations which might be granted on application more effectual than they otherwise would be. A measure of that sort was contemplated, and he hoped soon to give notice of the time when it would be brought forward.