HC Deb 08 August 1842 vol 65 cc1145-6
Sir Graham

remarked that it was important that the Boroughs Incorporation Bill should pass as early as possible. He therefore moved that the report be now read.

The report brought up and read, and, on the motion that it be received,

Sir J. Graham

had to announce that in the interval since Saturday last a clause had been framed by his hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-general, which he hoped would remove the objections entertained by certain parties against the measure, and he had further hoped to have been able to congratulate the House as to the unanimity prevailing with respect to it. He was aware that Gentlemen from Bolton were in London to oppose the bill, but had hoped their petition would not have been presented. These gentlemen were certainly rather late in the steps they had taken. It was exceedingly desirable that the question should be set at rest, and uncertainty put an end to. He should, therefore, feel it his duty to move that the bill be proceeded with, and the introduction of the clause framed by his hon. and learned Friend.

Mr. Aglionby

thanked and congratulated the right hon. Baronet. The bill was a great improvement, and would be productive of the best fruit.

Dr. Bowring

also thanked the right hon. Baronet for keeping not only the letter, but the spirit of the arrangement entered into, and he expressed his surprise that, at this period of the bill, eight people from Bolton should throw any impediment in the way

Report received, the Standing Orders were suspended, and the bill ordered to be read a third time.

On the question that the bill be read a a third time,

Sir Charles Douglas

said, he was extremely glad at the satisfactory issue which had been arrived at upon the question of compensation, which was the only part of the bill he had anything to do with. It was right he should say thus much, as he had learned that his conduct had been misunderstood at Birmingham, and it was reported that he had given up the bill on condition that the Government should bring in one to confirm the charter. It was in the recollection of the House that he had nothing to do with any such arrangement; on the contrary, he said, that the confirmation of the charter of Birmingham was nothing to him, but he had taken up the question of compensation to certain officers upon general principles, and he had nothing to say to the charter; since then he had had a communication made to him by influential persons in Birmingham, that they were not satisfied to have this charter, but he had nothing to add upon that subject, except that he had expressed their opinions in the proper quarter.

Bill read a third time and passed.