§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed. "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ MR. J. STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)I beg to apologise, on behalf of hon. Members whose names are on the back of this Bill, for asking the House again to postpone the Second Reading. Some fault was found with the promoters for putting down the Bill for last Monday, when Members attended expecting a discussion, and now we have to ask for a further postponement. It will be observed that two points are at issue by the Amendments raised by hon. Members opposite—the question of the taxation of ground landlords and the question of the water supply of the Metropolis, and it has been thought desirable that these points should be allowed to be over until the new Council have expressed a view on the matter, and that they will do in a few days. I hope the House will not object to the Second Reading being deferred till 21st March.
§ MR. R. G. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)I think we ought to have some assurance that if the Bill is put down for the 21st it will actually be taken then. It is very inconvenient to have to attend so early to support or oppose a Bill which at the last moment is postponed.
§ Second Reading deferred till 21st March.