§ Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.
§ Moved, that the Bill he now read 3a
§ THE EARL OF MALMESBURYsaid, that he hoped the noble Lord the Secretary at War would introduce some Amendments into the second clause. One of the greatest inconveniences sustained in the various towns and parishes throughout the country, was the inequality that existed in the valuation of property, and the assessment of the rates. The noble Lord, seeing that disputes as to the proportion which each parish in a county should contribute to the expenses of the militia would very probably arise, proposed that the Government should appoint an umpire to settle the proportions which each parish should contribute. He thought, however, that it would be much better to take the income-tax valuation as the basis of contribution.
§ LORD PANMUREobjected to the proposal, on the ground that to introduce it into the Bill at this stage would be a violation of the privileges of the House of Commons.
§ LORD BERNERScomplained of the complicated and, at the same time, loose manner in which several of the clauses were framed. He thought it was highly desirable that some provisions should be introduced into the Bill in order to secure a more equal and just system of assessment and rating than would be obtained by the Bill as it stood.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read 3a accordingly.
§ An Amendment moved and negatived; an Amendment made.
§ Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.
§ House adjourned till To-morrow.