§ THE EARL OF RIPON, in moving the second reading of this Bill, explained that its object was to consolidate all the Acts already in existence on this subject, and also to make one or two Amendments in them. Here to fore it had been the practice to invest in the Military Savings' Bank certain military funds, such as the children's clothing funds, sergeants' mess funds, and library funds; but Mr. Tidd Pratt had given an opinion that this practice was not consistent with the law, and it was proposed to alter the law, so as to make the practice legal. The present law also gave a general power to the Secretary of State to make regulations with respect to these banks, and it was proposed to enumerate in one of the clauses of this Bill the different subjects on which that power could be exercised. The noble Earl also mentioned that the sum at present invested in these banks was about £200,000.
§ Bill read 2a and committed to a Committee of the whole House To-morrow.