§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ SIR JOHN LUBBOCK, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, that as the House had on several previous occasions affirmed the principle of the Bill, he thought hon. Members would not wish him to enter into the subject at length on the present occasion. He would only observe that the principle of the Bill was that, after proper notice had been given, an owner of one of the monuments comprised in the Bill who wished to destroy it should, at least, give the country the option of purchasing it at a fair price. As regarded the constitution of the Commission and other details, he did not ask the House to commit itself, though, for his part, he believed the Bill in its present form would work well; but he should be most ready to consider any suggestion with reference to it in Committee.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Sir John Lubbock.)
§ LORD FRANCIS HERVEYasked, whether that was the same Bill as the hon. Baronet had introduced in previous Sessions? He had understood that the hon. Baronet was prepared to make considerable modifications in its provisions.
§ SIR JOHN LUBBOCKsaid, he had adopted all the recommendations of the Select Committee which sat on the measure, and also other suggestions, in order, as far as possible, to remove objections.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Thursday 13th February.