SECOND READING.

HC Deb 07 August 1894 vol 28 cc366-7

Order for Second Reading read.

SIR M. HICKS-BEACH

asked the object of the Bill.

* THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. SHAW-LEFEVRE,) Bradford, Central

said, the object was to rectify a small error in the existing law. The Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, gave power to a Local Authority to borrow money for the purpose of buying land on which to erect houses, but did not give authority to raise loans for the purpose of erecting the buildings. It was, however, imagined that that power already existed, and Orders had been passed by the Local Government Board embodying it. But doubts had now arisen as to the legality of this, and this Bill was proposed in order to set them at rest. It was, of course, in strict accord with the policy of the Act.

SIR M. HICKS-BEACH

I do not think the Bill should go on in the absence of the hon. Member for the West Derby Division of Liverpool.

Second Reading deferred till Thursday.