§ Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee read.
§ THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLANDsaid, that at that late period of the Session he felt that the only course open to him was to move the discharge of the Order for Committee; but he would bring the subject under the notice of their Lordships next Session, if the Government did not introduce a measure of their own.
THE EARL OF MORLEYsaid, the Government were considering the subject with a view to legislation next Session.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYsaid, that the question was an important one, and the difficulty was to know how a remedy could be applied to the evil. The Select Committee found that each locality was so different in its circumstances that it would be necessary to place in the hands of the Government the most extensive powers, so that, practically, they would have power to legis- 1162 late as they pleased in connection with the subject. That, however, was not a healthy state of things, inasmuch as it would be placing Government in a false position, and in one which Parliament itself ought to occupy. He believed that the proper course would be to appoint a body of conservators in each drainage district, giving them powers to act according to the peculiar circumstances of each. He thought it necessary to make these few suggestions, with the view of legislation on the matter next Session.
§ Motion agreed to; Order discharged; and Bill (by leave of the House) withdrawn.