§ Viscount Duncannon moved the Order of the Day for the House going into committee on the Holyhead and Shrewsbury Roads bill The object of the bill was the improvement of this line of road. The alteration on the road between London and Dunstable had been executed for less than the estimated sum, while the improvement beyond Dunstable exceeded the estimate, chiefly in consequence of the purchase of lands. The bill provided, that the sum of 2,000l. which was saved on the estimate of the works between London and Dun-stable should be made applicable to the expence incurred by the works beyond Dunstable.
1345The Marquess of Salisburysaid, had this bill been introduced earlier in the session, he would have moved, that it be referred to a committee up stairs, in order to show not only the gross negligence, but, to use a harsher phrase, the gross malversation which was observable in the proceedings of (as we understood) the Dunstable trust. He had many objections to this measure. By the former bill the funds necessary for the improvement of the road were voted by Parliament, but by the present measure Sir Henry Parnell, and four commissioners, were authorised to expend any money they pleased without any efficient control. The noble Marquess moved "that the bill be committed this day three months."
§ Their Lordships divided on the original motion:—Contents 24; Not Contents 23; Majority 1.
§ Bill went through committee.