HL Deb 21 March 1881 vol 259 cc1483-4

EARL CADOGAN moved— That the order made on Thursday the 3rd instant 'that the Bill be not further proceeded with during the present Seesion' be discharged and the Bill re-committed to the same Select Committee for the purpose of considering the question of awarding costs to the petitioners who appeared before the Committee. The noble Earl said, that he made the Motion as Chairman of the Select Committee, the Bill having been withdrawn without notice to that body, or to the petitioners who had appeared before the Committee as opponents of the measure. He, however, left their Lordships to deal with the matter as they might think fit.

THE MARQUESS OF HUNTLY

said, he had received a Petition signed by 72 leading merchants of Liverpool requesting that the Bill should be re-committed on its merits.

THE EARL OF REDESDALE (CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES)

thought the Motion should be agreed to as a means of showing promoters of Bills that they could not evade their responsibility for costs by withdrawing their Bills.

EARL CAIRNS

pointed out that there was a technical difficulty in the way of dealing with the Motion in consequence of the course taken by the promoters of the Bill.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

did not see how their Lordships could assume an independent jurisdiction as to costs.

EARL CADOGAN moved that the further consideration of the Resolution be adjourned.

Motion agreed to.

Further debate upon the said motion adjourned till To-morrow.

House adjourned at a quarter before Six o'clock, till To-morrow, half past Ten o'clock.