§ Order of the Day for Second Reading read.
§ THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDE moved the second reading of this Bill, which was to enable persons who borrowed money from the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, for the improvement of estates in Ireland, to borrow money also for the purpose of building dwellings for the labouring classes. The Bill had been introduced last year and had passed their Lordships' House.
§ LORD REDESDALEsaid, it was true that the Bill had passed the House of Lords last year, but as it was by no means desirable that a system should be introduced by which the building of labourers' cottages should be made a charge upon land, a clause should be inserted giving the Commissioners power to judge of the necessity of the proposed new buildings, and at the same time to see that where the buildings were introduced to replace old ruinous dwellings the latter were destroyed. He hoped the noble Marquess would consent to the insertion of such an Amendment in the present Bill.
THE MARQUESS OF WESTMEATHobjected to the Bill, but hoped that if it passed care would be taken that loans were 9 not granted unless the plans of the proposed cottages were laid before the Commissioners, as in the case of the improvement of estates by drainage, &c. There was nothing on the face of the Bill that put a limit on the amount to be granted.
THE MARQUESS OF BATH, also hoped that the noble Marquess would consent to the introduction of the provision in question, without which he must oppose it.
§ Bill read 2a.