HC Deb 11 June 1845 vol 81 cc388-9

House in Committee on the Smoke Prohibition Bill.

On the 1st Clause,

Mr. Hawes

suggested that the 1st Clause relative to the appointment of inspectors, be postponed till the Bill of the noble Lord (Lord Lincoln) with regard to nuisances in towns was laid before the House, as probably the same inspectors would do for both objects.

Mr. Mackinnon

said, if they postponed this clause, it was equivalent to postponing the Bill altogether. He proposed to appoint the inspectors, subject to the regulations contained in the noble Lord's Bill.

The Earl of Lincoln

did not think that the measure he was about to propose regarding the health of towns, would at all facilitate the present measure, as that Bill was to be entirely of a permissive nature, leaving it with the local authorities whether they would adopt it or not. He thought, however, it would be better to omit this clause, as the subsequent clauses gave power to any parties who felt aggrieved by the nuisances, to obtain a remedy, without having recourse to an inspector.

Mr. Aglionby

thought an inspector would be of use; for, if no person were appointed to look after the matter, what was every body's business would be nobody's.

Mr. Mackinnon

said, the object he had in appointing inspectors was this:—Suppose a gentleman annoyed with smoke from his neighbour in the country, he might not like to prefer a complaint, but he could mention the matter to the inspector, who would at once take it up.

House counted out, and adjourned at half-past seven o'clock.