§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE PAYMASTER-GENERAL (THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND)My Lords, this Bill empowers County Councils in Scotland to abolish police districts formed under Section 58 of the Police (Scotland) Act, 1857. Section 58 of this Act provides that where police districts have been formed, their extent may be altered; but the Secretary of State has been advised that there is at present no power to abolish police districts or reabsorb them in the county. It has been represented that it is desirable that such power should be conferred upon county councils because the continuance of certain police districts is no longer required 763 and leads to unnecessary work and expenditure in connection with police accounting. I beg to move that the Bill be read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Duke of Sutherland.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.