Lords Sitting of 27 April 1875

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—First Reading—Chimney Sweepers* (71); Consolidated Fund (£15,000,000)*; International Copyright* (73).
Committee—Justices of the Peace Qualification (5–72).

CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENTS.
THE LORD CHANCELLORinformed the House, That Her Majesty had been pleased to appoint, by Her Letters Patent dated the 27th day of this instant April, Sir William Rose, K.C.B., Clerk Assistant of the Parliaments, to the office of Clerk of the Parliaments, vacant by the resignation of Sir John George Shaw Lefevre, K.C.B., the late Clerk of the Parliaments: Patent read, and the said Sir William Rose then made the prescribed Declaration (which Declaration is set down in the roll amongst the oaths of the great officers), and took his seat at the Table.

CLERK ASSISTANT.
THE LORD CHANCELLORacquainted the House, That by virtue of the power granted to him as Lord Chancellor, by the statute 5th Geo. IV. cap. 82. sect. 4., he had appointed Ralph Disraeli, esquire, to be their Lordships Clerk Assistant in the room of Sir William Rose, K.C.B., appointed Clerk of the Parliaments.
Then it was moved, That this House do approve of the appointment of Ralph Disraeli, esquire, as their Lordships Clerk Assistant in the room of Sir William Rose, K.C.B., appointed Clerk of the Parliaments.
On Question, resolved in the affirmative.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE QUALIFICATION BILL—(Nos. 5–72.)
(The Earl of Albemarle.)

COMMITTEE.
House in Committee (according to Order.)
THE EARL OF FEVERSHAMsaid, that this Bill, if passed, would put into the hands of the Lord Lieutenants more power than they at present possessed, and that power they would be able to use for Party purposes. Their Lordships had previously rejected Bills dealing with this subject, and no new arguments had been adduced in favour of the present Bill. The present qualification was not more easily attainable than at any previous time, and, therefore, he hoped the Bill would be rejected.
THE LORD CHANCELLORpointed out that their Lordships had already admitted the principle of the Bill by reading it a second time.
THE EARL OF ALBEMARLEmoved, to leave out Clause 1. and insert the following clause:—
"Notwithstanding the said Act or anything therein contained, every person of full ago and who has during the two years immediately preceding his appointment been the occupier of lands or tenements within any county, riding, or division in England or Wales of the rateable value of not less than two hundred pounds, and shall during that time have been rated to all rates (if any) made for the relief of the poor in respect of the said promises, and who is otherwise eligible, shall be deemed to be qualified to be appointed a justice of the peace for such county, riding, or division."
THE LORD CHANCELLORsuggested that, instead of the clause proposed by the noble Earl, the following clause should be inserted:—
1686
"Notwithstanding the said Act or anything therein contained, every person of full age and who has during the two years immediately preceding his appointment been the occupier of a dwelling-house assessed to the inhabited house duty at the value of not less than one hundred pounds within any county, riding, or division in England and Wales, and shall during that time have been rated to all rates and taxes in respect of the said premises, and who is otherwise eligible, shall be deemed to be qualified to be appointed a justice of the peace for such county, riding, or division."
THE EARL OF ALBEMARLEagreed to the clause thus amended.
Clause struck out.
Original Amendment withdrawn.
Clause agreed to, and added to the Bill.
Other Amendments made; the Report thereof to be received on Thursday next; and Bill to be printed, as amended. (No. 72.)

CHIMNEY SWEEPERS BILL [H.L.]
A Bill for further amending the Law relating to Chimney Sweepers—Was presented by The Earl of SHAFTESBURY; read 1a. (No. 71.)
House adjourned at a quarter before Six o'clock, to Thursday next, half past Ten o'clock.