HC Deb 12 June 1856 vol 142 cc1393-4

Order for Second Reading, read.

Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

LORD ELCHO

said, he hoped the Bill would not be proceeded with at that hour of the night—or, indeed, during the present Session. It was necessary that some explanation should be given on the subject, in order that the House might know what was the position in which it stood. The Bill was to enable the Commissioners of the Treasury to mark out a site for a National Gallery; and he was afraid that if it were allowed to pass, he feared the question of a site for the National Gallery would become a foregone conclusion, and that next Session, when the estimates for the new National Gallery came forward, the House would find itself precluded from considering the matter altogether. He wished to know if, in the event of the Bill passing this Session, the House would be precluded from afterwards discussing the question of site? He apprehended that the whole thing had been arranged at the Treasury, and that the plans might be found there ready cut and dried, or else what was the meaning of the clause empowering the Treasury to mark out a site for the gallery unless they knew the shape of the building and the spot of ground on which it was to be raised. He begged to move as an Amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months.

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

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

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

was quite prepared to go into a full discussion of the subject if it were the pleasure of the House that he should do so at that hour of the morning. But as the noble Lord had made a speech against the Bill without knowing what were the views of the Government respecting it, and moved that it be read this day six months, he hardly knew what course to take. It was impossible, however, to accede to the Motion and he should press the Bill on the consideration of the House, it being his opinion that the bargain which it ratified was exceedingly advantageous to the public. Feeling the difficulty, however, of going into the discussion then, he was quite willing to postpone the second reading until to-morrow (this day), provided his noble Friend would withdraw his Amendment.

MR. STAFFORD

expressed a hope that the Amendment would be withdrawn, seeing that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had consented to postpone the Bill. At the same time he readily admitted that the House was indebted to the noble Lord for having mentioned the subject.

Amendment and Motion, by leave, withdrawn; Second Reading deferred till to-moruow.

The House adjourned at a quarter before Two o'clock.