HC Deb 24 May 1860 vol 158 cc1711-2

Order for Committee read.

MR. PAULL

said, he had to move that the Order for the Committee on the Bill be discharged for the purpose of having the Bill referred to a Select Committee.

MR. E. P. BOUVERIE

said, he did not think that that was a Bill that ought to be sent to a Select Committee, as it proposed to levy rates on shipping, and to take out of the hands of Parliament the power which it now possessed as to levying rates, and to place it in the hands of the Board of Admiralty. He apprehended the House was not prepared to allow the Admiralty to take compulsorily land on the shores of the kingdom. The House alone ought to have jurisdiction in such matters. He would move that the Bill be committed that day six months if he were supported.

COLONEL WILSON PATTEN

said, he would remind the House that on the se- cond reading of the Bill, his hon. Friend (Mr. Paull), who had charge of it, consented, in deference to a wish then generally expressed, to submit it to a Select Committee, and that he was now endeavouring to give effect to that wish.

MR. MILNER GIBSON

said, the propriety of referring the Bill to a Select Committee had been under the consideration both of the Admiralty and the Board of Trade, and they had come to the conclusion that as the Bill had been read a second time after full discussion, it was desirable that it should go to a Select Committee, with the view to a consideration of what powers should be given to a department of the Executive Government for promoting harbour improvements. It was desirable that his right hon. Friend (Mr. Bouverie) should know that the subjects in question would not be altogether removed from the jurisdiction of the House, inasmuch as any provisional orders to be made under the Bill would have to receive the assent of Parliament.

MR. PAULL

replied.

Order for Committee read, and discharged.

"Bill committed to Lord CLARENCE PAGET, Mr. MILNER GIBSON, Lord ROBERT CECIL, Colonel WILSON PATTEN, Mr. CORRY, the JUDGE ADVOCATE, Mr. EDWARD PLEYDELL BOUVERIE, Mr. TALBOT, Mr. GORE LANGTON, Mr. BUCHANAN, Mr. M'MAIION, Mr. BLACKBURN, Mr. SERJEANT KING-LAKE, Mr. RIDLEY, and Mr. PAULL:—Power to send for persons, papers, and records: Five to be the quorum."