§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTHproposed that the Bill should be read a second time pro formâ, and added that he would then place upon the Paper certain Amendments which he believed would meet the objections to it which had been raised on behalf of the manufacturing interest.
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEsaid, he did not think that this course ought to be assented to, and therefore he moved that the debate be further adjourned.
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON,whilst sympathizing with the President of the Local Government Board in his desire to pass the Bill, could not agree that what he proposed would be a proper way of dealing with so important a subject. The right hon. Gentleman appeared to think it was only a matter affecting a few manufacturers, and that because he had made an arrangement with them, the nature of which was not known, the House had no further concern in the question. The Bill, however, was one involving the interests of the public. It proposed to create a new local authority, as if we had not enough of local authorities already. That was a principle which the House ought not to assent to without further discussion. In his opinion, it was utterly impossible that a question of so much importance could be treated in that manner.
§ MR. DILLWYNprotested against the House being now asked to assent to a measure which had been re-modelled in conformity with some Lobby arrangement.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERmaintained that the course proposed by his right hon. Friend was not an unreasonable one, unless there was a desire on the opposite side of the House to obstruct the Bill. This matter had been long under the consideration of Parliament, and a very considerable amount of time and attention had been bestowed upon it. Objections to the Bill had come from a particular class of persons in the country, the Government had endeavoured to meet these objections; and all that was now asked was that they should simply place upon the Table the Bill in the form in which they intended to proceed with it.
§ MR. GOSCHENreminded the Chancellor of the Exchequer that very little time had been spent on the Bill in the way of debate and discussion in that House. If the Government chose to give precedence to the Prisons Bill over this measure, they could not fairly charge the Opposition with wishing to obstruct Public Business.
§ MR. RIPLEYremarked that the President of the Local Government Board was willing to grant such concessions as would tend to make the Bill beneficial to the country, at the same time that it would not injure manufacturers; and he therefore trusted that the debate might not be adjourned.
§ MR. TENNANTtrusted that the Bill would be read a second time, its principle having been repeatedly discussed.
§ MR. MACDONALDsupported the Motion for the adjournment of the debate.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Debate further adjourned till To-morrow, at Two of the clock.