§ Order for Committee read.
DR. CAMERONdid not think that this Bill should be proceeded with at so late an hour. The measure interfered considerably with the rights at present enjoyed by owners of property in Scotland. He did not wish at the present moment to express any opinion concerning the measure; but he considered that it ought not to be brought on without those interested—landlords, tenants, and municipal authorities in the various towns in Scotland—having some opportunity of making their views known on the subject.
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. WATSON)said, it was with very considerable surprise that he had heard a borough Member from Scotland object to this Bill. The object of the measure was to enable municipal authorities in Scotland to carry out more effectively the provisions of the Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings Act. The whole purpose of the Bill was to extend to Scotland the provisions of the amending Act with regard to artizans' and labourers' dwellings which passed through Parliament last year, but which was only made applicable to England and Ireland. Certain Scotch boroughs had not taken it very kindly that they were left under disadvantages from which England and Ireland were freed by the Act of last Session. It was at their instigation that he had introduced the present Bill, the sole purpose of which was to place local authorities in Scotland in the same position as those in other parts of the United Kingdom. Under those circumstances, he trusted that the hon. Member would not throw obstacles in the way of the Bill.
§ Billconsideredin Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ Billreported,without Amendment; to be read the third timeTo-morrow.