HC Deb 17 March 1880 vol 251 cc1195-6

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Sir Henry Selwin-Ibbetson.)

MR. BARING

said, he wished to raise his protest against the passing of this measure during the last few days of a dying Parliament. The principle of the 4th clause was to enable the Corporation of the City of London to exchange certain portions of lands which had al- ways been open forest, upon which they could not build, for other portions now inclosed. But he understood that the open spaces which would be given up were much valued by the people living in the neighbourhood, and it was only right that they should have time to express their opinions. It was true that no exchange could be made without the assent of the Arbitrator; but his constituents were too poor to compete before him against the wealth of the City Corporation. There was besides an ambiguity in the wording of a later clause, which might possibly authorize building on the lands acquired under the Bill. When they were re-modelling the Bill they ought to make a good Bill of it; for at present there was no penalty for bribery or intimidation at the election of verderers, and the Committee of the Corporation was at present made the arbiter of all claims to vote for the very persons who were supposed to be, in some sense, a check on its action.

Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members being found present,

MR. BARING

said, he had not put down Amendments because he believed they could not be entertained in such a small House. He begged to move that the Bill be read a second time that day month.

MR. DILLWYN

seconded the Amendment.

Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day month."—(Mr. Baring.)

Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."

SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON

said, the Bill had been introduced as a Continuance Bill, and he believed that it would prove advantageous to the public; but, as real opposition to the measure was now offered, he was prepared to withdraw it, and to let the fresh House of Commons judge of the value of the proposed exchange of lands.

Amendment, and Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Bill withdrawn.

House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before Six o'clock.