§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. W. EWARTcomplained that the billeting system was different in Scotland to what it was in England. In England, soldiers were only billeted on the inkeepers, whilst in Scotland they were billeted on other persons besides innkeepers. He also complained of the system of billeting generally, and hoped the Government would consider the subject with a view to amend the existing law.
§ MR. FREDERICK PEELsaid, the difference between the law of Scotland and that of England in respect to billeting had existed from the time of the Union. It was obviously necessary that the Government should have the means of providing accommodation for soldiers in all parts of the country. The objections to the billeting system arose from the large number of embodied militia; but by the encampment at Aldershot, and by encampments in other parts of the United Kingdom, the number of militiamen on billets was considerably reduced. If the representatives of Scotland 1673 generally desired an assimilation of the law to that of England, he apprehended there would be no objection to introduce a measure to that effect; but he could not hold out any hope of the system of billeting in towns being given up.
§ MR. A. PELLATTsaid, the licensed victuallers of London complained of the very system which hon. Members seemed to wish to introduce into Scotland. They complained that there were exemptions, and that the billets were not given upon all classes of the community.
§ Bill read 2°.