HC Deb 10 June 1875 vol 224 cc1688-9

Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Question [3rd June], "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

Question again proposed.

Debate resumed.

MR. HAYTER

opposed the Bill, on the ground that it unsettled the present electoral arrangements, and moved that the House go into Committee that day three months.

Amendment proposed, to leave out from the word "That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words "this House will, upon this day three months, resolve itself into the said Committee, "—(Mr. Hayter,)—instead thereof.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

expressed a hope that the Government would state the view they entertained in respect of the Bill. It would give to an exceptional class—namely, the letters of lodgings—the benefit of the franchise on a six months' residential qualification. He was willing to close with the proposal contained in the Bill, provided that the general householder qualification for the borough franchise was reduced from 12 to six months.

MR. GATHORNE HARDY

said, he had been somewhat surprised to hear the extraordinary statements which had been made in respect of this Bill. With respect to the letters of lodgings, a person might lot every room in his house separately, and not be deprived of his right to vote, but if he let his furnished house for a short time he was deprived of his vote by this Bill. The Bill was no revolutionary one, but one which the House might fairly take into its consideration.

MR. WHITWELL

objected to the Bill.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

disclaimed any Party motives in bringing the Bill forward, and trusted that the House would allow it to pass through Committee.

MR. DODDS

contended that the measure was a specimen of piecemeal legislation which ought not to be encouraged.

Question put, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."

The House divided:—Ayes 107; Noes 20: Majority 87.

Main Question proposed.

MR. DODDS

moved that the debate should be adjourned.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned."—(Mr. Dodds.)

MR. RITCHIE

pointed out that the hon. Member for Stockton was rather fond of opposing Bills on the Motion for going into Committee upon them. He had done the same thing to a Bill which he (Mr. Ritchie) had introduced.

MR. DODDS

said, he had simply opposed a very bad Bill which the hon. Member for the Tower Hamlets had managed to persuade the House to read a second time.

Question put, and negatived.

Main Question, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," put, and agreed to.

Bill considered in Committee, and reported, without Amendment; to be read the third time To-morrow.