§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
§ LORD NORTHBROOK, in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, said, that it had three objects. The first was to enable troops to pass over lands in certain portions of the country, to be determined by a consultative commission composed of the Lords Lieutenant and Members of Parliament for those divisions of the counties of Hants, Berks, and Surrey which were affected. The second was to protect the owners and occupiers of land from unnecessary injury, and to give compensation to those who might sustain unavoidable injury. The troops were debarred from entering dwelling-houses, farm-yards, orchards, gardens, parks, &c. All claims to compensation would be considered by a 1761 "compensation officer," and, if possible, settled as they arose; while in case of dispute the amount would be determined by arbitration. The third object was to prevent injury from the possible, and, indeed, probable assemblage of large numbers of persons to witness the manœuvres. The law of trespass was consequently much strengthened; summary power was given to the police to remove trespassers, and the Secretary of State was empowered to appoint one or more magistrates, with summary jurisdiction within the area; as also to appoint special constables for the purpose of carrying the Act into effect. The provisions as to lands would last till the 1st of October, and those as to compensation till the 1st of June next.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow; and Standing Orders Nos. 37. and 38. to be considered in order to their being dispensed with.