LORD KINNAIRDpresented a petition against this Bill. He complained of its having been brought forward by the Government as a public Bill, whereas it was merely a private Bill. The Bill proposed to allow the Commissioners of Leith Harbour to borrow 135,000l. That body formerly borrowed a large sum from the public, and they were to borrow no more until that was repaid. But by this Bill they were empowered to borrow a further sum, which was to be repaid, principal and interest, before any portion of the debt due to Government was liquidated. The whole affair had very much the appearance of a job. He trusted the noble Lord who had charge of the Bill would withdraw it, and refer the matter to a Committee next year.
LORD CAMPBELLsaid, that it could not have been brought on in any other shape, because the Treasury was interested in it. By this measure great public improvements would be effected at Leith, which would prove most advantageous to all the surrounding districts. The 135,000l. now proposed to be borrowed would be repaid within a short time, and it was only postponing the payment of the former loan, which of course bore interest, and which could be then much better secured. The noble and learned Lord presented several petitions in favour of the Bill.
§ The DUKE of RICHMONDbelieved this to be one of the greatest jobs ever attempted to be perpetrated. He should propose that the Bill be withdrawn for the present Session, and the Government might make inquiry into the matter during the recess, and next Session present a report to the House on the subject.
§ LORD REDESDALEalso considered this one of the most flagrant jobs ever brought before Parliament. Had this advance nothing to do with the circumstance of the Lord Advocate being Member for Leith? Not one shilling of the 125,000l. formerly advanced had been repaid. He 169 reminded the House that this Bill was introduced at the eve of an election, one of the Members of the Government, the Lord Advocate, being Representative for Leith. He did not hesitate to say that the whole thing bore the appearance of an election job, and urged the withdrawal of the Bill.
LORD CAMPBELLsaid, there had been no notice given that this discussion would be brought on. He had merely got a notice from the noble Lord by whom the subject was introduced, that he would ask if they were prepared to withdraw this Bill; but the noble Lord had entered into all the merits of the Bill as if they were now on the second or third reading of it. It would be very inconvenient if they should, on the mere question whether they would withdraw this Bill, enter into all the merits of the measure. It was said that this measure was intended as an election job; but he would remind them that the money had been advanced before Leith had a Member; it was advanced in the year 1826 when there was no Member for the town of Leith; and he believed that the charge was just as well founded as the other charges that had been made.