HL Deb 21 July 1887 vol 317 cc1574-5

Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee, read.

Moved, "That the House do now resolve itself into Committee upon the said Bill."—(The Lord Stratheden and Campbell.)

THE EARL OF WEMYSS

said, he hoped that their Lordships would not consent to go into Committee until the evidence taken before the Select Committee which had considered this question was before the House. This was a most important measure, seeing that it was not confined to manufactories, but extended to every private dwelling in the Metropolis; and the effect of the Bill would be that it would be open to an inspector to enter any room in any house, and see what sort of fires they were burning. That would be, he submitted, an intolerably inquisitorial power. The Bill also gave to the vestries the power of drawing a line between houses of particular valuations, with a view to exempting some. He had received a letter from the Vestry of St. James's, in which they objected strongly to the principle of the Bill, and espe- cially to the exemption of property above or below a certain valuation. He was most anxious that their Lordships should have before them the evidence to which he had referred; and he, therefore, would ask his noble Friend, to kindly postpone this stage of the Bill.

LORD STRATHEDEN AND CAMPBELL

said, that the Government had an Amendment down dealing with the point to which the noble Earl took exception, and when that was reached the noble Earl could support it.

EARL BROWNLOW

said, that the evidence taken before the Committee was of very great importance, and it was most desirable that it should be before the House before the Bill was considered. He, therefore, felt bound to appeal to the noble Lord in charge of the Bill to postpone this stage.

LORD STRATHEDEN AND CAMPBELL

said, he was not aware that the evidence had not come before their Lordships. Under the circumstances, lie should ask leave to postpone the order till Monday.

Committee of the Whole House put off to Monday next.