§ Order of the Day for the House to be again in Committee read.
§ Moved, That the House do now resolve itself into a Committee.
§ LORD CHELMSFORDsaid, that the only result of the delay which had taken place with regard to the Bill was the presentation of a Petition in its favour from a meeting of the United Cabmen, held in Milbank Street. He thought their Lordships ought not to promote petty legislation. The object of the Bill was to require every publican to use an instrument which was the subject of the patent.
§ LORD CHELMSFORDsaid, it was clear, then, that the noble Lord was not aware of the fact when he brought in the Bill, for he had actually introduced a clause to annul the letters patent. If the patent had expired, then, what was the object of the Bill? Probably the patent had not been very successful, and the object of the Bill would be to compel the publicans to purchase the machines which were in the hands of the patentee. He moved that their Lordships go into Committee on the Bill that day three months.
§ Amendment moved, to leave out ("now") and insert ("this Day Three Months").
LORD TEYNHAMsaid, the object of the Bill was to do justice between man and man where justice was not now done.
§ On Question, That ("now") stand Part of the Motion? Resolved in the Negative; and House to be again in Committee this Day Three Months.