§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)asked the Lord Advocate, When he proposed to proceed with the second reading of the Burgh Police and Health (Scotland) Bill?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities), in reply, said, the Bill had been before the House on a good many occasions, and he proposed to take it up that night.
§ DR. CAMERONappealed to the First Lord of the Treasury, whether it was desirable that a Bill of 250 pages and 500 clauses, which was only delivered to Members on Saturday last, should be brought on the day after it was pre- 192 sented; and, whether he would not grant Members interested in the subject a little reasonable delay to consider the Bill?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)said, the Bill would not be brought on that night; but the hon. Gentleman was aware that it was chiefly a consolidating Bill. It was an old Bill, which had been before Parliament for several Sessions; but it would not be taken that night.
§ DR. CAMERONsaid, the Bill raised a great number of important matters about disease and other controversial points, on which there ought to be an opportunity for discussion. When would the Bill be brought forward?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, it would not be taken this week.