HC Deb 11 February 1850 vol 108 cc635-6

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

MR. ORD

said, that the corporation of Newcastle had been for 500 years in possession of the property of which this Bill sought to deprive them, without any grounds whatever being shown to justify such a proceeding. He should, therefore, oppose the second reading.

Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."

MR. HUME

said, that the Amendment to the former Bill had been withdrawn from the feeling in the House that both Bills ought to be sent before a Select Committee; and he hoped the House would show by its vote on this occasion the feeling which it entertained of the preposterous course now taken.

MR. CARD WELL

said, the House had two Bills before it, both for the improvement of the conservancy of the Tyne. The Bill just sanctioned travelled into no other object; but the Bill which they were now asked to sanction did travel into other ground, and sought to induce the House to refer to a Committee of five Members a question of property. The promoters alleged that the corporation of Newcastle misappropriated the funds, by expending two-thirds of them on the improvement of the streets of Newcastle; but if that were so, surely there was a legal tribunal before which the question ought to be decided, instead of bringing it before that House.

MR. ROEBUCK

said, that not one Member in a hundred of those present knew anything about the whole proceeding: and if he, for one, were asked to vote on the question, he would feel obliged to retire from the House without doing so. If a Committee of five Members were unfit to decide on the merits of the Bill, after investigation, surely the whole House was equally unfit, seeing that they knew nothing of the merits.

Question put, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."

The House divided:—Ayes 131; Noes 63: Majority 68.

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read 2o, and committed, and referred to the Committee of Selection.