§ MR. CRAWFORDasked the right hon. Member for Cambridge University, Whether he would defer the second reading of this Bill, which stood for Friday, so as to enable persons in the City of London to consider its provisions. He had also to ask him whether the Rules of the House did not necessitate its introduction as a private Bill?
§ MR. SPENCER WALPOLEsaid, the Bill was one which had come down from the House of Lords at the end of last Session, after having been carefully considered. His object in putting down the Bill for Friday was not to prevent its consideration by the parties interested, but in order that it might have a better chance of passing than it had last Session. He thought he ought not to defer that stage, but was willing to fix the Committee for a date which would give 283 ample opportunity for opposition or Notice of Amendments. The Act which it proposed to amend was entirely a public Act, and he believed this was properly a public Bill; but if the Speaker, after considering the question, was of a different opinion, he should, of course, defer to his ruling.
§ MR. CRAWFORDstated that, subject to any advice he might receive in the meantime, he wished the right hon. Gentleman to understand that a Motion might be made to refer the Bill to the Examiners, to ascertain whether there were any Orders applicable to the measure as a private Bill.