§ Order for Committee read.
MR. COWPERsaid, he had come to the resolution to withdraw this Bill, feeling that in the last week of a protracted Session the opponents of the measure had a power commensurate more with their pertinacity than with their numbers. The opposition, in the present instance, had this peculiarity, that it came mainly from the hon. Members who represented those parts of the metropolis in which evasions of the law were most frequent, and in which the greatest number of lodging-houses were found, to the injury of health and the detriment of morality. Under these circumstances he begged to move that the Order for going into Committee upon the Bill be discharged.
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, he could not but regret that the right hon. Gentleman had not done a graceful thing in a graceful manner, but had considered it necessary to make remarks as uncalled for as they were unfounded. The right hon. Gentleman had no doubt withdrawn the Bill because he had discovered that it was entirely erroneous from beginning to end, that it would not carry out its professed object, and that it was not in the least degree necessary.
§ Order discharged. Committee put off till this day month.