HC Deb 23 June 1865 vol 180 cc718-9

Bill, as amended, considered.

Clause 18 (Contributions by Government towards Expense of Brigade).

MR. BLACKBURN

said, it was intended to maintain this Fire Brigade by a local rate, at not exceeding a halfpenny in the pound, but instead of extending the rate to Government property, in which there would doubtless be difficulty, the sum of £10,000 per annum was to be paid on account of the national property in the metropolis. That was assuming it to be of the annual value of £4,800,000, or one-fourth of the whole rateable property of the metropolis. He could not admit the accuracy of this calculation, and in order that the same law should apply to national as to private property, he should move an Amendment to that effect.

SIR JOHN SHELLEY

seconded the Motion.

Amendment proposed, In Clause 18, page C, line 26, to leave out the words "the sum of ten thousand pounds," in order to insert the words "a sum equal to the amount that would be leviable by a rate of one-halfpenny in the pound on the full and fair annual value of all such property within the Metropolis belonging to the Crown, or to any Department of Government, as would be rated to the relief of the poor were the said property rateable for that purpose,"—(Mr. Blackburn,) —instead thereof.

MR. T. G. BARING

said, it was almost impossible to estimate the beneficial occupation of the Government property in the metropolis. It was only necessary to mention Buckingham Palace, for example. Again, from Woolwich to Pimlico there was Government property of enormous value, the loss of which would affect, not only the convenience, but in some cases the safety of the country, Two Committees of that House had been of opinion that a contribution of £10,000 would not be two much for the Government to pay towards the new Fire Brigade. He hoped that the hon. Gentleman would not press an Amendment which would overturn the whole arrangement on which the Bill was founded.

LORD FERMOY

said, the inhabitants of the metropolis had come very badly out of the negotiation as it stood; and the Amendment would make matters still worse.

Question, "That the words 'the sum of ten thousand pounds' stand part of the Bill," put, and agreed to.

Another Amendment made.

Bill to be read 3° To-morrow.