HC Deb 09 March 1903 vol 119 c236

Order for Second Reading read; Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

MR. CALDWELL (Lanarkshire, Mid)

said the Government were well aware there was a very strong opposition to this Bill, and he protested against its being taken at a few minutes before midnight. It proposed that certain powers might be transferred from the Local Government Board to County Councils. The matter was discussed in a private Bill before a Committee of the House, who threw it out. Since then there had been notices of objection put down by hon. Members on both sides of the House, and more particularly by Members on the Government side. The reason of the objections was that whilst Parish Councils did not object to being under the Local Government Board with regard to the exercise of these powers, they objected to be placed under the County Councils, which were local authorities who might be influenced by the views of people in the locality.

And, it being Midnight, the debate stood adjourned.

Debate to be resumed To-morrow

Adjourned a two minutes after Twelve o'clock.