HC Deb 29 January 1847 vol 89 cc609-10

On the Question, that the Distillation from Sugar Bill be read a Second Time,

MR. FORBES MACKENZIE

said, the Bill had not been printed more than half an hour; and he, therefore, trusted the second reading would be postponed.

MR. HUME

did not see any reason why the second reading should be postponed. The hon. Gentleman could not object to the principle of the Bill; and if the details did not meet his views, the hon. Gentleman could object to them in Committee.

MR. MACKENZIE

could not say whether he agreed to the principle of a Bill or not before he had read it.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, that this Bill had nothing in the world in view but to carry out the resolution which the House had already agreed to. The whole question had been stated by himself to the House more than a week ago, and the resolution was agreed to unanimously. He had then understood that nobody objected to the resolution, and that some hon. Members only wished to consider some of the details in Committee. He trusted, therefore, that no opposition would be offered to the Bill in its present stage.

MR. MACKENZIE

wished to know if there was any information, with respect to this Bill, in the papers which were to be produced to-morrow.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, that he was very sorry that those papers were not in the hands of the Members at that moment; they were delayed in consequence of a great number of calculations which were to be inserted. They would, however, be ready by tomorrow morning, or, at the latest, on Monday.

Bill read a second time.

House adjourned at ten minutes to Six o'clock.