HC Deb 08 August 1850 vol 113 cc952-4

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

SIR H. WILLOUGHBY

put it to the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the House had now arrived, at so late a period of the Session, and considering the vast number of petitions presented against the Bill, it would not be desirable to postpone the consideration of the subject until next Session, so as to allow of a consolidation of all the statutes relative to the savings banks, and an inquiry into the whole subject? The right hon. Gentleman, he admitted, had done all in his power to bring the question forward; but he hoped he would concur with him, that at the present hour (10 o'clock) it was impossible to go into a discussion of the Bill.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, it was certainly with very great regret he had come to the conclusion that he must postpone even the discussion upon this Bill until next Session. He had wished such a discussion to take place, because he believed that considerable misunderstanding existed relative to the provisions of the Bill. He had been anxious, in the first place, to pass the Bill if he could; and, when he found it impossible to do that, he was very desirous to have a discussion upon it. But, looking at the present state of the House, and the time of night, he was most unwillingly and unavoidably compelled to comply with the wish of the hon. Member, and to withdraw the Bill for the present Session.

MR. HUME

felt glad that the right hon. Gentleman had adopted the course suggested to him. The measure was one of great importance; and he therefore hoped it would be the very first thing entertained next Session. It was full time that these banks should be put on a footing different from heretofore; and as certain resolutions, the results of reports, were in his (Mr. Hume's) possession, he would lay them on the table to-morrow, with a view to their being printed, when hon. Gentlemen would have full time during the recess to read them over, and thus make themselves minutely acquainted with the subject before coming to legislate on it in the next Session.

MR. HINDLEY

trusted no alarm would be created amongst the depositors in savings banks; and that, if trustees did not do their duty, the Government would act as they had done in the case of the Cuffe-street savings bank.

MR. S. CRAWFORD

agreed in the necessity for postponing the Bill, but expressed a hope that the right hon. Chancellor of the Exchequer would bring forward such a measure next Session as would give ample security to depositors.

MR. P. SCROPE

said, that the Savings Banks Bill had been promised on the first night of the Session, and yet the Government were unable to get even a discussion upon it. The sooner the right hon. Gentleman brought in a Bill next Session to place these institutions upon a firm and satisfactory footing, the better.

MR. REYNOLDS

said, that, though he admitted that the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer had no alternative but to withdraw the Bill, he deeply regretted the necessity for taking that course. The Bill was an improvement on the present law; but he would recommend to the right hon. Gentleman the propriety of making the responsibility of the State with respect to the savings of the poor as complete as possible.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Second Reading put off for three months.

The House adjourned at half-after Ten o'clock.