§ Order for Third Reading read.
§ MR. GOSCHENsaid, he wished to state that, in the opinion of those who took an interest in the Bill, unless powers were inserted to enforce secrecy, it would prove totally inadequate. He would, therefore, suggest to the hon. Baronet that he might be enabled to introduce an Amendment in "another place," which would, at all events, make the Bill much more workable. The Bill was really to secure secrecy on the part of assessment committees with regard to the value of house property; but, as it now stood, there was no penalty and no means of enforcing this. The large number of members on these assessment committees, also, made it exceedingly difficult to prevent the leaking out of information which ought to be kept confidentially. If the hon. Baronet was unable to introduce an Amendment of the kind suggested, in "another place," he did not think the Bill would give the satisfaction which it was intended to give.
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONsaid, the object of the Government was to insure the secrecy which the right hon. Gentleman had pointed to as necessary in the Returns. If the House would read the Bill a third time, then he would inquire into the matter, and would endeavour, supposing he found that the existing Act did not contain the power which the right hon. Gentleman desired for enforcing secrecy upon the members of assessment committees, to insert those powers in "another place."
§ Bill read the third time, and passed.