HC Deb 21 June 1859 vol 154 cc435-6

Order for Second Reading read.

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

MR. ALDERMAN CUBITT moved that the Bill be read a second time that day three months. As a member of the City Board of Health he stated, on the authority of the medical officers of the Board, that the company's works were a principal contributor to the nuisances which polluted the river.

Amendment proposed, "To leave out the word 'now,' and at the end of the Question to add the words 'upon this Day Six Months.'"

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

COLONEL NORTH

urged that the Bill had passed through a full examination by a Committee of the House of Lords, and he thought it ought to be read a second time. He had been over the works of the company, and could assert, from his own knowledge, that nothing could be more admirable than the way in which the business was managed. He read testimonials from various scientific gentlemen to the effect that there was nothing in the works injurious to health, and also referred to a Petition in favour of the Bill signed by a great number of inhabitants residing in the neighbourhood of the works, barristers of the Temple, and others.

MR. CLIVE

, without going into the merits of the Bill, suggested that the Amendment should be withdrawn, and the second reading be postponed for a fortnight until the responsible Members of the Government were in their places, for this, though a Private Bill, had reference to a department of the Government—the Board of Health.

MR. W. JACKSON

said, that postponing the second reading for a fortnight would be fatal to the Bill. He objected to the Home Department constituting itself a Committee of that House.

MR. SOTHERON ESTCOURT

recommended that the Bill should be allowed to go before a Select Committee, where the sanitary question would be fully inquired into. If the result should be against the Bill, the House could of course reject the measure, even should it pass the Committee.

MR. AYRTON

also supported the Motion, believing that inquiry was necessary, and not thereby pledging himself to support the Bill in any future stage.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read 2°, and committed.