HC Deb 24 February 1868 vol 190 cc1079-80
LORD JOHN MANNERS

, in moving that the House should resolve itself into Committee, referred to observations made on a previous evening by the hon. and learned Member for the Tower Hamlets (Mr. Ayrton), who had stated, in the course of the discussion raised by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the City of London (Mr. Goschen), that the proper course to adopt in matters of metropolitan finance was, that the Government should advise the House as to the mode in which the necessary funds should be obtained, and that then the management of the works should be allowed to devolve upon the local authorities. He (Lord John Maners) was ready to adopt that principle, and it was embodied in the Bill he was about to ask leave to bring in. He had, however, in the first place, to move that the Speaker leave the Chair, in order that the question might be submitted to a Committee of the Whole House.

MR. LABOUCHERE

said, he wished to know from the noble Lord, whether the measure he proposed was identical with that which he brought forward last year, because the policy then attempted was most nequitable—it would enable the borrowing of money upon the securities of the Coal and Wine duties levied from the Metropolitan police area until the year 1888, and such a scheme ought not to be permitted. His hon. and learned Friend the Member for the Tower Hamlets (Mr. Ayrton) called attention to the principle, and said that, in his opinion, it was a financial system that would not be tolerated if embodied by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget. Last year he (Mr. Labouchere) gave notice of his intention to move that the Bill be read a second time that day six months, and he would certainly persevere in that course unless the area were limited, for the Metropolitan police area was one established for an entirely different purpose. The Bill would press very hard upon manufacturers and others within this area, and therefore he was determined to oppose it.

Motion agreed to.

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Resolved, That the Chairman be directed to move the House, that leave be given to bring in a Bill to further continue and appropriate the London Coal and Wine Duties.

Resolution reported:—Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. DODSON, Lord JOHN MANNERS, and Mr. HUNT.

Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 43.]