§ Bill considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ MR. W. HOLMSmoved to report Progress. He did so with regret, as he approved of the object of the Bill, but he had received a telegram that afternoon to the effect that the Bill would seriously affect the interests of the Burgh which he represented. He therefore asked for delay, for further consideration of the measure.
§ MR. M'LARENsaid, he hoped the Motion would not be agreed to. He should be willing to agree to the insertion of any words which would protect the rights of any burgh, provided they were in accordance with the principle and object of the Bill.
§ MR. J. W. BARCLAYtrusted the Bill would be allowed to proceed.
DR. CAMERONsaid, the Bill might inflict a slight loss upon some burghs; but he did not think that ought to stand in the way of proceeding with the Bill.
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid, that the Bill, if passed in its present form, would involve a loss to Stirling equivalent to a rate of over 1d. in the pound. He therefore hoped it would not be pressed at present, in order that Amendments might be framed with a view to prevent harm being done. Although the Bill might be a very good one for Edinburgh, it did not follow that it would be equally good for all the other interests affected by the measure.
§ MR. M'LARENsaid, there were only about 2 burghs out of 70 that were 1780 against the Bill, and the object of the Motion for delay was for the purpose of defeating the Bill in the interest of those burghs.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Monday next.