§ THE EARL OF REDESDALE (CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES)asked the noble Earl in charge of the Bill (the Earl of Galloway) to postpone the second read- 674 ing, which was down for to-morrow, the Bill not having been printed.
THE EARL OF GALLOWAYsaid, he thought it was rather hard that he should be asked to postpone the second reading, seeing that the measure was simply a re-echo of the Report of the Select Committee, which had been in the hands of their Lordships for over three weeks. Considering that they had now arrived at the middle of July, the noble Earl might allow the Bill to be read a second time, on the understanding that a discussion would be taken on going into Committee on Friday.
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONsaid, he thought it would be most unreasonable. He had not seen the Bill, and as it proposed to make a very great alteration in the election of Representative Peers for Scotland, he thought it would be extremely hard and very unreasonable for them to be asked to read the Bill a second time to-morrow, when, at that moment, they had not even received a copy of it. He must protest against any attempt being made to proceed with the measure to-morrow.
THE LORD CHANCELLORalso thought that the Bill was one which should be printed and in their Lordships' hands before second reading.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYsaid, that next week there would be an interval of repose when other Business would not come up to any great extent, so that it might be convenient if the noble Earl would fix the second reading for that week.
THE EARL OF GALLOWAYstated that, after what had occurred, he would put down the second reading for Friday next.
§ Second Reading (which stands appointed for To-morrow) put off to Friday next.