HC Deb 07 July 1881 vol 263 cc340-1

Order for Second Reading read.

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. M'LAREN)

moved that the Bill be read a second time, with the view of submitting it to a Select Committee.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(The Lord Advocate.)

MR. DICK-PEDDLE

said, that he had no wish to oppose the Motion; but he must express his opinion that it was net right that a Bill of this importance should be brought on for second reading at 1 o'clock in the morning. He knew that the Lord Advocate was not to blame for the Bill being brought on at that time; but, at the same time, it was not satisfactory to the people of Scotland that a Bill of this kind, affecting seriously the administration of the Poor Law in that country, should pass the second reading at an hour when discussion was impossible. It was right, however, to say to his right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate, who had charge of the Bill, that there were provisions in it which would receive strong objections if not amended. There were several provisions which would I give general satisfaction, especially those I which applied to Scotland the provisions of the Act of 1879, with regard to lunatic paupers, who were entitled to hold property through their connection with Friendly Societies, and which, to a cer- tain extent, did away with the right to cede to Parochial Boards, in virtue of proprietorship. But in order that the Bill should receive the general approval of the people of Scotland, it would be necessary still further to do away with that privilege; and, for his part, he did not see why Parochial Boards should not be on the same footing as Municipal Bodies and School Boards, and be composed of persons entirely elected by the ratepayers. As he had already said, he would not oppose the second reading; but he thought it right that that stage should not be passed without an intimation on the part of some Scotch Member that considerable changes would have to be made in it.

MR. HEALY

said, he thought a Bill of this kind should not be read a second time without a word of discussion. He knew nothing about the measure; but in Ireland there were grievances as to poor relief and the way in which grants were made, and the only way of bringing them forward was on English and Scotch Bills.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

said, as his hon. Friend had been disregarded by the Treasury Bench, and treated with discourtesy which was not common in the House, he should move the adjournment of the debate.

[The Motion, not being seconded, could not be put.]

DR. CAMERON

explained that it was only proposed to read the Bill a second time in order to refer it to a Select Committee, by which it could be gone into.

Motion agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed to a Select Committee.

And, on July 12, Committee nominated as follows:—Mr. ANDERSON, Mr. ANDREW GRANT, Mr. J. HAMILTON, Mr. M'LAGAN, Mr. HENDERSON, Mr. BOLTON, Mr. MATHESON, Mr. MELDON, Mr. HIBBERT, Mr. ORR EWING, Mr. COCHRANE-PATRICK, Mr. DALRYMPLE, Mr. JAMES CAMPBELL, Admiral Sir JOHN HAY, Mr. LODER, Colonel ALEXANDER, Mr. HEALY, Lord ELCHO, and the LORD ADVOCATE:—Five to be the quorum.

And, on July 19, Sir EDWARD COLEBROOKE and Mr. ARTHUR BALFOUR added.

House adjourned at One o'clock.