§ Order for Second Reading read: Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time.
§ *SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee) said the supporters of the Bill were representatives on both sides of the House of large constituencies in Scotland. The object of the Bill was very simple, and at the same time of great moment to the moral and social welfare of Scotland. At this time, when it might almost be said that on both sides of the House they were all in favour of measures tending to promote temperance, he trusted that the Second Reading would be canied by general assent. The Bili which it proposed to amend was passed sixteen years ago, and 'the clause it was now intended to enact was passed in that House. The Bill went up to another place and it was only in the last days of the session that it was returned with that clause omitted.
368§ There was no time or opportunity in that House to reinstate it. Unfortunately since that time, by the fortune of the ballot, there had been no proper opportunity of bringing the subject before the House. The object of the Bill was to enable towns with above 50,000 inhabitants to do what was optional in all the other towns of Scotland, namely, to close public houses at ten o'clock. The experience of all the towns where the Act had been enforced had been, according to almost universal opinion, most satisfactory. The Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland had year after year reiterated the opinion that it would tend greatly to reduce crime and offences in the large cities and towns of Scotland if the same rule were applied there. The general opinion of the magistrates who administered justice in the large towns of Scotland was that the last hour, from ten to eleven, was the worst in the twenty four so far as the ruinous effects of drink were concerned. Those who were most desirous to advance the moral and social well-being of the country were most anxious that the same option as was exercised throughout Scotland generally—it was not imperative—should be left in the hands of the local magistrates in the large cities and towns: to determine whether ten o'clock closing should be enforced. He begged to move the Second Reading of the Bill.
§ Notice taken that forty Members were not present; House counted, and forty Members not being present,
§ The House was adjourned at half an hour after Ten of the clock till To-morrow.
§ Adjourned at half after Ten o'clock.