§ Bill read 3a (according to Order.)
§ THE EARL OF ABINGDONsaid, that the great increase in the rates which had taken place of late years and the additional duties which had been thrown upon the police, had induced him to give notice of the clause he was about to move; he wished to check the further progress of this increase of rates and the extension of arbitrary and unconstitutional powers to the police. What the increase in the police rates had been in consequence of recent legislation, had been carefully concealed from the public. The collector's card, which He held in his hand, showed that the police rate was mixed up with seven or eight other rates. Murderous assaults were of frequent occurrence and houses were broken open, yet the culprits remained undetected, because the police were employed upon other duties. If this Bill passed, the police authorities would be pestered with a thousand applications to carry out its provisions, and the result would be that the class of small tradesmen would be subjected to every variety of potty annoyance and vexatious summonses. He trusted the ratepayers would understand that increase of police duties meant increase of rates—not for the protection of life and property, but for the suppression of individual liberty. He doubted very much the wisdom of a measure of this class originating with their Lordships' House—a measure of class legislation interfering with the comforts and restricting the individual liberties of the lower orders of society. While objecting to Sunday hawking about the town, it took no account of the increased Sunday duties imposed on the police. It was a most Pharisaical Bill. He would move to insert a clause which he hoped would be some check upon this evil.
§
Amendment moved, to insert new clause—
No officer of police shall in any manner assist in carrying out the provisions of this Act, or be allowed to give evidence in any prosecution under this Act in any police-court, or other court of justice."—(The Earl of Abingdon.)
§ THE EARL OF HARROWBYopposed the Amendment, which, if introduced 1138 into the Bill, would render its other provisions a mockery. The measure was strongly supported by public opinion out-of-doors; its operation would be warmly aided by the shopkeepers themselves, who felt the pressure of the present system; and in a very short time the good results of the measure would free large numbers of the police for attendance upon other duties. As matters stood at present, fairs were virtually held in many parts of London upon Sunday, and the time and attention of the police were needed to prevent or to repress the disorders which were thus occasioned.
§ On Question, resolved in the negative: Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.