§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE EARL OF DALHOUSIE,in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, that last year Commissions were appointed to inquire into certain corrupt practices which occurred at the General Election. They reported that corrupt practices had extensively prevailed in seven burghs detailed in the Bill. The effect of the Bill was to suspend, until the assembling of Parliament next year, the power of electing Members of Parliament in these burghs. It was obviously desirable that Parliament should take into consideration the state of things which prevailed in these burghs, with a view, if necessary, of awarding such punishment as might seem in the wisdom of Parliament to be required.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Earl of Dalhousie.)
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committedto a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday next.