HC Deb 04 August 1857 vol 147 c1008

Order for Committee read.

VISCOUNT MELGUND

said, that he must protest against the Bill being proceeded with at that hour (three o'clock), and with so thin an attendance of Scotch Members. He recommended the Government to postpone the measure till next Session. Many persons who were ratepayers in burghs would be excluded by it from voting at the election of town councillor, as being beyond the boundaries.

COLONEL SYKES

, on behalf of his constituents of Aberdeen, who were interested in the Bill, deprecated precipitate legislation on the matter, but would not object to going into Committee.

House in Committee.

Clause 1.

THE LORD ADVOCATE

said, that he wished to advert to what had fallen from the noble Lord (Viscount Melgund) and to state that he should not have pressed the Bill, had it not met with the support of Scotch Members generally.

Clause agreed to, as were also the remaining Clauses.

House resumed. Bill reported; as amended, to be considered To-morrow.