HC Deb 30 July 1866 vol 184 cc1668-9

Order for Second Reading read.

MR. HUNT

moved the second reading of this Bill.

MR. DARBY GRIFFITH

complained of the practice of asking the House to read important Bills a second time before they were printed, and in the hands of hon. Members.

MR. HUNT

agreed with the hon. Gentleman the Member for Devizes that it was most desirable that Bills should not be read a second time before they were printed and in the hands of Members, and it was his wish that copies of this Bill should be in the office that morning. On inquiry he was informed that it had not been the practice to have printed copies of the Appropriation Bill ready before the day for going into Committee on the Bill. He thought it was objectionable, and he requested that for the future copies should be ready before the second reading. In consequence of that the printers were im- mediately communicated with, and he had now a copy of the Bill in his hand, and any hon. Gentleman could get one at the Paper Office. He hoped the Bill would be allowed now to be read a second time.

Bill read a second time and committed for To-morrow.