§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. MURE moved the second reading of the Edinburgh Assessments Bill.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed,
§ "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ MR. DUNLOPopposed the Bill. Its object was to decide by the authority of that House a legal question now in dependence before the Court of Session. This was altogether irregular. No alteration of the Annuity Tax Act would be satisfactory that did not bring it into unison with the feeling of the inhabitants of Edinburgh, He moved as an Amendment a Resolution to that effect.
§
Amendment proposed,
To leave out from the word 'That' to the end of the Question, in order to add the words 'no measure will adequately remedy the defects of the Edinburgh Annuity Tax Act of last Session which would leave the inhabitants of Edinburgh under the burden of a permanent Tax for the payment of stipends to the Ministers of the City, and the inhabitants of adjacent parishes subject to a rate for replacing a fund transferred to the same purpose," instead thereof.
Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."
§ MR. BLACK,who was inaudible from continued cries for a divison, defended the Bill.
§ MR. HADFIELDopposed the measure, and moved the adjournment of the debate.
§ Motion made, and Question, "That the Debate be now adjourned,"
§ Put, and negatived.
§ Question put, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."
§ The House divided: —Ayes 110; Noes 26: Majority 84.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read 2o, and committed for Monday next.