§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. STAPLETON, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, its object was to extend to the rest of the United Kingdom the principle of the Montgomery Act, which had worked with advantage in Scotland. Under the Bill, persons who had settled estates on which there were no country houses would be enabled to build houses upon them, and charge the cost on the estate in the form of an annuity; the expenditure, however, being limited to the amount of three years' rent. The Bill, he anticipated, would have the effect of increasing the number of resident country gentlemen, and of diminishing the numbers of that "lounging class" to which the Prime Minister had sarcastically referred.
§ MR. STACPOOLEseconded the Motion.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Stapleton.)
§ MR. GOLDNEYsaid, he must oppose the Bill, which he thought ought not to be hurried forward then, as it had not been expected to come on, and 741 an opportunity should be afforded for its discussion.
§ The hon. Member was proceeding to argue against the Bill when it being Six of the clock.
§ Debate adjourned till To-morrow.
§ House adjourned at five minutes before Six o'clock.