The Earl of Radnormoved the third reading of the Corporate Funds' Bill.
§ The Earl of Eldonsaid, as this was precisely like a bill which their Lordships had rejected, two Sessions ago, he hoped that they would now reject this Bill. If corporate funds were illegally applied, the law gave a remedy, but this Bill was another invasion of private property, and he should be wanting in his duty if he did not oppose it.
The Earl of Radnorsaid, the object of the Bill was, to prevent Corporations from expending their funds for electioneering purposes; and it originated in consequence of the conduct of the Corporation of Leicester, which could not be remedied. The funds of a corporation, so far from being private property, belonged to the whole of the people in the corporation; and this Bill, instead of being an invasion of private property, was, in fact, intended to secure it.
§ Bill read a third time, and passed.