§ Brought from the Commons.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 1ª.—(Lord Emmott.)
§ On Question, Bill read 1ª, and to be printed.
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (LORD EMMOTT)My Lords, I can explain in a very few words the object of this Bill. Your Lordships will remember that a few years ago a judgment was delivered, I think in this House, under which the system of financial adjustments which had obtained up to that time in reference to areas taken from counties and added to burghs was upset. A Joint Select Committee of this House and of the House of Commons was appointed, over which the Duke of Devonshire presided. For England a Bill to carry out the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee was passed last year. The Bill to which I am now asking your Lordships to give a Second Reading is of the same character mutatis mutandis as the English Act. After considerable negotiation, this Bill has been framed with the consent of the various local authorities in Scotland. It carries out the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee to which I have referred; it has the support, so far as I know, of all parties in the House; and in the interests of Scotland it is desirable that it should be added to the Statute Book before the close of the session.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2ª.—(Lord Emmott.)
§ On Question (Standing Order No. XXXIX having been suspended), Bill read 2ª: Committee negatived: Bill read 3ª, and passed. (No. 276.)