§ The Lord Chancellor moved that the Amendments of the Commons to the Lords' Amendments of the Municipal Corporation Act (England and Wales) Amendment Bill be agreed to by their Lordships.
§ On the Question that the Commons' Amendments of the Lords' Amendments 1499 on the 13th clause, relating to the appointment of persons to fill the office of presidents at the elections of Aldermen be agreed to.
§ Lord Wynfordobjected to the Motion on the ground that the Amendment of the Commons was inexpedient. The noble and learned Lord said he thought the better way would be to leave the election of presidents upon the same footing as the election of mayors, and therefore, he begged leave to move as an Amendment that the presidents should be chosen, not by the wardens, but by the majority of the councillors.
§ The Lord Chancellorsaid, that the Commons had conceded a great deal in another clause, and no doubt if they altered the clause now under discussion they did so reluctantly. He thought that the clause as altered by the Commons would work better than if amended as proposed by the noble and learned Lord, whose scheme was impracticable.
§ Lord Wynfordobserved that his object was to render this and the 12th clause consistent with each other; at present they were not so.
§ Lord Abingersupported the Amendment of his noble and learned Friend, on the ground that, were they to adopt the Amendment of the Commons, it might happen that the election would in some cases, fall into the hands of the minority although there might be a majority in the wards.
§ The Lord Chancellorsaid, that the clause would provide for the case in which the number of councillors was equal, which would not be provided for if the Amendments were agreed to; for the original clause gave to the person the highest rated the casting vote where there was an equality of votes.
§ The House divided on the question that the Commons Amendments be agreed to. Contents 63: Not-Contents 84; Majority 21.
§ On the 20th clause,
§ The Lord Chancellorsaid, that the clause was intended to prevent a premium being given to parties prosecuting in cases in which Parliament would not sanction such proceedings.
§ Lord Abingerthought, that the Legislature ought not to step in, to stop proceedings authorised under the former law. He, therefore, should move that their Lordships adhere to their amendments.
§ The House divided on the Motion to agree to the Commons Amendment. Contents 51; Not-contents 80: Majority 29.
§ The remaining clauses agreed to.
§ A Committee was appointed, to draw up their Lordships' reasons for adhering to their Amendments.