HC Deb 11 August 1857 vol 147 cc1471-2

Order for Second Reading read.

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

MR. AYRTON

said, he must oppose this measure as he considered it the most extravagant measure ever introduced into Parliament. Free access was to be given to the police at all times, and the house was to be cleaned at their instance, besides being registered and supplied with water. Who was to protect the people against the abuse of authority under this Bill? This was an attempt to do that by law which could only be carried out by social influences. He moved that the Bill be read a second time that day three months.

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

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

MR. COWPER

said, that the hon. and learned Gentleman entirely misunderstood this Bill. Its object merely was to amend the Lodging-house Act. That measure had been attended with the most beneficial results, but there were certain abuses which it did not meet. Lodging-houses were overcrowded, and the Act was evaded on the pretence that lodgers were members of the same family. It was chiefly to remedy this evil that the Bill had been introduced, and in Committee he would take care to provide that it should apply only to common lodging-houses, and not to private houses. He hoped, therefore, the hon. and learned Gentleman would not press his Amendment against the Bill.

MR. JOHN LOCKE

said, he was not entirely satisfied with the alterations suggested by the right hon. Gentleman who had introduced the Bill. He was not sure that, even after they had been made, the Bill would not interfere with the interests and liberties of poor persons who were not lodging-house keepers. He therefore trusted that some further alterations would be made in the clauses of the Bill.

SIR GEORGE GREY

said, that his right hon. Friend had intended to move the Amendment which he had sketched, even although no opposition had been raised to the Bill. He suggested that the hon. and learned Gentleman should allow the Bill to be read a second time, and that it should be committed pro formâ in order that the Amendments might be introduced.

Amendment by leave withdrawn.

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read 2°, and committed for To-morrow.

House adjourned at a quarter before Three o'clock.