HC Deb 01 July 1856 vol 143 cc117-8

Order for resuming Adjourned Debate on Second Rending [9th June] read.

COLONEL FRENCH

asked the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland whether it was right to force this Bill upon the city of Dublin, when its inhabitants had made such strong representations against the objectionable powers the Bill would give, especially to the Commissioners of Police?

MR. MAGUIRE

thought nothing could be more fair than the offer which had been made on the part of the corporation of the city of Dublin to refer the Bill to a Select Committee. It was impossible at this late period of the Session to pass such a Bill, considering the strong opposition that existed against it.

MR. BEAMISH

said, he did not see the use of referring the Bill to a Select Committee.

LORD NAAS

said, his right hon. Friend on a former occasion had stated that this Bill was merely a consolidation of the existing laws; but the city of Dublin distinctly denied that statement. He certainly, himself, understood that there were decidedly new provisions in the Bill of a very important character. Considerable additional power would be given to the Commissioners of Police in regard to the licensing system. It was, therefore, not correct to say that it was merely a consolidation Bill. He thought the Bill ought to be referred to a Select Committee.

MR. HORSMAN

regretted that so strong a feeling of opposition should exist against this measure, and he did so the more because every objection that had been taken only showed how completely in the dark hon. Gentlemen were as to the provisions and object of the Bill. He would repeat that it was a consolidation Bill, and nothing else. If any hon. Member could show that any new power was contained in it, so far was it from the intention of the Government that it should be so that in Committee he would strike out any such power. At the same time, no doubt, the corporation of the city of Dublin, from misconception, entertained a strong hostility against the measure, and as it appeared to be the general opinion on the part of Irish Members that the Bill could not be passed into a law this Session, he did not think, under the circumstances, he should be justified in taking up the time of the House in discussing the measure further. He therefore moved that the order for the second reading be discharged.

Order discharged; Bill withdrawn.