§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ *MR. D. CRAWFORD (Lanark, N. E.)Before a day is fixed for the Committee stage of this Bill I think the House ought to have from the Government some information as to the total cost of the scheme and the liability of the rates of Scotland under it. I speak as 300 one of those who just now voted with the Government, and I hope the Government will deem it right to lay on the Table an explanatory [statement, as was done in the case of the English Police Bill, showing how the question stands in the respects I have mentioned.
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHIn answer to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Lanark, I have only to say that the Government do not think it desirable at the present moment to furnish a full explanation On the points referred to. They think it will be far better that the information desired by the hon. Gentleman should be obtained by means of the Select Committee, to whom the Bill will be referred than that it should be now communicated to the House.
§ Second reading deferred till Monday next.