MR. SOTHERON-ESTCOURTsaid, he now rose to move for leave to bring in a Bill to provide for the Payment of Debts incurred by the Boards of Guardians in unions and parishes, and by Boards of Management in school districts. The Bill was rendered necessary by a decision of the Court of Exchequer, which prevented Boards of Guardians from paying debts. The consequence of that decision had been that they had been obliged to 675 deal with ready money, from which some inconvenience had arisen. The Bill would empower Boards of Guardians in future to pay legally incurred debts within twelve months, and in certain cases the period might be extended to six months more. With regard to debts incurred before the passing of the Bill, they would be allowed to pay them if incurred within a period of six years; and he might state that it would be applicable to debts incurred by the City of London union, referred to a few evenings ago in the House.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill to provide for the Payment of Debts incurred by Boards of Guardians in unions of parishes, and by Boards of Management in school districts, ordered to be brought in by Mr. SOTHERON-ESTCOURT and Mr. KNIGHT.
§ Bill presented, and read 1o.
§ House adjourned at One o'clock.