COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 26 May 1868)

§ EARL GRANVILLE
said, that considerable opposition existed to the Bill, and asked what course the Government intended to take upon it?

THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
said, that many objections had been taken to the Bill, which, he believed, was opposed by noble Lords opposite, and Her Majesty's Government was not prepared to sanction its further progress. The regulations proposed would entail considerable expense, nor could he see why statistics should be applied to cotton alone.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
complained that in this as in other matters the Government did not seem to know its own mind. The second reading of the measure had been assented to in that House; it had passed the other House without opposition, and he was certainly astonished that the noble Duke should now object to its further progress. Of course, if noble Lords opposite co-operated with the Government in opposing the measure, it would be useless for him to divide the House. But he desired to remind their Lordships that the Bill was one of great importance; and was entirely approved of by those whom it concerned. At present there was a large amount of dangerous and prejudicial speculation in consequence of the uncertainty as to the amount of cotton in the country; and manufacturing labour was disarranged by the same cause. He understood that within the last few weeks the computation of the quantity of cotton in this country had varied to the extent of a million bales.

§ THE EARL OF MALMESBURY
said, that on the second reading some Members of the Government voted for the Bill, some against it, and some did not vote at all; but he would recommend that there should be no further opposition to the Bill at this stage of it.

§ LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY
supported the measure, as being necessary to prevent false returns and frauds at Liverpool and other ports.

§ EARL GRANVILLE
said., he was not satisfied that such a Bill ought to be sanctioned by the House. It would be dangerous to enter upon any attempt to check speculation.

§ LORD EGERTON OF TATTON
supported the Bill, and trusted the noble Marquess would persevere with it.

§ THE EARL OF MALMESBURY
observed that he should be very sorry if his noble Friend had any reason to complain of having been taken by surprise. He therefore recommended that opposition should be withdrawn at the present stage, and if necessary it might be renewed on the Report or third reading.