§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE DUKE OF ST. ALBANSmoved that the Bill be now read the second time, stating its object to be to extend the time for the Epping Forest Commissioners making their Report for a further period of two years. The extension of time was rendered necessary by the mass 1179 of business which the Commissioners had to get through.
§ LORD REDESDALEsaid, he thought the Bill objectionable, extending as it did the powers of the Commissioners for so long a period. He thought that if the Commissioners were allowed two years from the present time for making their Report they ought to be called upon to consider the important subjects which were excluded from the Bill passed two years ago.
§ THE DUKE OF RICHMONDhoped that at the next stage of the Bill the noble Duke would be in a position to state the nature of the work which rendered the extension of time now sought for necessary, and whether there was any objection to the Report embracing the matters excluded from the former Bill. Two years had already elapsed, and he thought the further period of two years somewhat unreasonable.
§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, that a considerable number of cases before the Commissioners still remained undisposed of. The inquiries made of his noble Friend who moved the second reading were quite legitimate, and he would be in a position to give full information in respect of them, when the Bill reached the Committee stage.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYConsidered the information promised all the more necessary that the Bill seriously affected private rights, and that pending suits were hung up until the Report of the Commissioners was made.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday the 17th instant.