HL Deb 19 July 1897 vol 51 cc386-7

On the Motion to go into Committee on this Bill,

*LORD BALFOUR

remarked that if the Bill was meant to apply to Scotland the machinery of the Bill as it stood was unsuited for the purpose. It was not for him to- suggest that there were any persons in Scotland to whom the Bill would be applicable. But if the Bill was meant to apply to Scotland it would have to be amended. He would be willing to suggest to the noble Lord the form of the Amendments.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HALSBURY)

asked whether the noble Earl (Lord Stamford) in charge of the Bill hail taken any steps to identify the fund out of which the expenses of working the Act wore to come? He had himself received a great many representations from various parts of the country complaining that there was no such identification, and fearing that the expense under the Act would fall upon them. There was a clause about the local authority, but that did not solve the question.

THE EARL OF STAMFORD

replied that he had made inquiries of the Local Government Board, and no difficulty was apprehended there. In the case of rural authorities the cost would be met out of the general purposes rate, and in the case of other authorities it would come out of the general fund.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

said the Local Government Board appeared to be satisfied, but it seemed to him that there should be a provision to charge the cast of administering the Act on the common fund.

Considered in Commiteee (according to Order); reported without Amendment; and re-committed to the Standing Committee.