§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE EARL OF LONGFORDmoved the second leading of this Bill, the object of which, he said, was to regulate the proceedings of the Royal Commissioners of the Patriotic Fund. Hitherto they had acted entirely under the authority of a Royal Commission; but it was thought advisable that there should be an Act of Parliament applicable to them. Last year, therefore, a short Bill on this subject received the Royal Assent; but it was found insufficient for the purpose. It was now necessary to bring in an amended Bill, repealing the Act of 1866, and providing, among other things, for the appointment of official trustees, in whom the property might be vested, and for an official audit. The re-constitution of a Commission and the appointment of new Commissioners to replace those who had died would be proceeded with when authority was given by this Act. It was intended also to extend somewhat the original intentions of the Commission.
§ Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday next.