HC Deb 13 June 1856 vol 142 cc1406-7
Mr. BRADY

said, he wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman in the chair, how the Bill introduced by him (Mr. Brady) to regulate the spirit trade of Ireland became a Private Bill, by his having altered and confined its operation to the Dublin Metropolitan Police District, when, on the other hand, the Dublin Police Bill now before the House was a Public Bill?

MR. SPEAKER

said, that according to the practice of Parliament, a Bill having a special local operation was considered a Private Bill. The hon. Member having confined the operation of his Bill to Dublin, it therefore became a private measure. A Police Bill, when brought in by the Government, was always, upon grounds of public policy, treated as a Public Bill. The hon. Member's Bill, if it were confined to the city of Dublin, would be a Private Bill; but if its operation were extended to the counties adjoining, it became a Public Bill.

MR. BRADY

said, his Bill applied to the metropolitan district of Dublin, and he wished to know whether, under such circumstances, his Bill was to be considered a Private or a Public Bill?

MR. SPEAKER

I am not prepared to say what the extent of the metropolitan district of Dublin is.