HC Deb 29 March 1910 vol 15 c1280

Order read for consideration, as amended (in the Standing Committee).

Mr. REMNANT

The Bill has been postponed until Monday next.

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Churchill)

I am very much obliged to the hon. Gentleman in not pressing this forward to-night. I have been asked to receive a deputation from the Association of Municipal Corporations, who are greatly concerned in the matter. I feel it would be very unfair to ask the House to come to a final decision without hearing the views of the representatives of the ratepayers, who, after all, are parties vitally concerned in the matter. I ventured to bring before the promoters of the Bill the fact that I am to receive this deputation, and they very courteously consented to postpone the Bill. I should not personally have opposed the Bill if it had come forward.

Mr. REMNANT

I tried to find the right hon. Gentleman to know what he wished to be done.

An HON. MEMBER

Are there any representatives from Scotland on the deputation?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I do not know, but I am not at all sure what way their opinions would be.

The HON. MEMBER

I know which way some of them would be.

Consideration deferred till Monday next.