§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
§ EARL STANHOPE,in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, it was one which had received the support of both sides and of Her Majesty's Government in the House of Commons. The object of the Bill was to provide that householders in boroughs should not be disqualified from being on the register, notwithstanding that during part of the qualifying period, not exceeding four months, they might have let the whole or part of the qualifying premises as a furnished house. At present the hardship was two-fold; first, that the householder continued paying the rates when his house was let, and yet might not exercise his vote; and, secondly, that a householder in a county was not disqualified under similar circumstances. It was especially to remedy cases which frequently arose, more particularly at seaside places, where it was the custom for householders to let their houses during the summer months. He begged to move the second reading of the Bill.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Earl Stanhope.)
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read 2a (according to order), and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday next.
§ House adjourned at a quarter-past Five o'clock, to Monday next, at Eleven o'clock.