§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (The Marquess of LOTHIAN), in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, that its object was to apply the provisions of Section 5 of 30 & 31 Vict. c. 80, which were now applicable only to railways, to waterworks, gasworks, and other undertakings. The Act in question denned the duty of the assessor of railways in Scotland in making up the valuation roll of railways. His duties were now confined to railways, and it had been thought expedient that they should be extended to gasworks, waterworks, and other similar undertakings. There had been much difficulty experienced in police burghs in Scotland, especially in the neighbourhood of Glasgow, in connection with rates due to them for gas and water works, and other undertakings of that description, and the object of this Bill was to do away with the uncertainty which now existed, and which had created much unpleasantness. The Bill was desired both by the burghs and by the landowners, and he hoped their Lordships would give it a second reading.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a" —(The Marquess of Lothian.)
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday next.