tions in reference to the Scotch represen- | householder, that is "one of the results of tation. I much regret that no inconsider- modern civilization," on which she may able delay should have taken place on the be congratulated. The Bill which we are subject. I trust, however, the right hon. about to introduce with regard to the reGentleman will, in extenuation of that delay, presentation in Scotland is, I repeat, framed take into account the remarkable and pe- on the same principle as the English Bill. culiar difficulties which the Government The franchise for boroughs - - respecting and myself to whom this business of which the right hon. Gentleman is desirous Reform has been mainly intrusted in its of having explicit information-is identical management in this House-have had to with the borough franchise proposed for encounter. The difficulties connected with England. If this Bill passes every housethe English measure have, in the first holder in a Scotch burgh who is rated to place, been very considerable. It is not the poor, and personally pays his rate, will easy to launch a vessel of such magnitude be entitled to a vote. There is another under any circumstances, but those which point on which the right hon. Gentleman we had to contend with were unusually ad- made some observations, and I beg to verse. We have not had the advantage state that on that point, as on the previous of an able coadjutor in the person of the one relating to the franchise, Her Majesty's Lord Advocate. I have felt very much Government will be found to have fulfilled the great inconvenience arising from that their promise. It is the opinion of the circumstance. Several questions have been Government that the representation of Scotasked me at different times by hon. Gen. land is not sufficient. We believe that the tlemen connected with Scotland as to the claims of that country to increased reprenature of our Bill, and if I have not ex- sentation are of a character which, on a plicitly replied to them it has been only general revision of this question, cannot because I have been in daily hopes that I be denied. We shall make a proposal on might have the opportunity of introducing this subject which we think will be deemed the measure. One is often liable to mis- fair and adequate. I trust that I have apprehension in giving answers to isolated now answered the inquiries of the right points of inquiry. I hope the Bill will hon. Gentleman with sufficient explicitness. soon be in the hands of hon. Gentlemen. If there be any point which I have omitted But I have no desire to avoid answering I shall be glad to be reminded of it. I the questions put to me to-night by the can tell him, with great satisfaction I hope right hon. Gentleman; and, after the delay to him, and certainly to myself, that the which has unintentionally occurred, I will Bill is not only drawn, but printed-that tell him, as nearly as I can, the character I have a proof copy of it in my possession, of the measure. It is framed upon the and that I hope to be able to introduce it model of the English Bill, as I said it on Thursday. would be when I first noticed it in this House. With regard to the main provisions, they are founded on the same principles, so far as differences in the circumstances of the two countries will permit. With regard to the franchise, in which the right hon. Gentleman, by his inquiry tonight, is particularly interested-namely, the borough franchise, it is identical with that proposed in the English Bill. There is no hard and fast line. Every householder who is rated to the poor and who personally pays his rates will possess the franchise. I deny that in the English Bill there are heavy restrictions. That is a complete misapprehension of the right hon. Gentleman. The conditions of the borough franchise in England are the being rated to the poor and personally paying the rates. These are the same conditions which we have introduced into the Scotch Bill. If Scotland is not blessed with the compound MR. ESMONDE said, he wished to ask, whether the Irish Reform Bill would be introduced at the same time as the Scotch Bill? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: I am afraid we shall not be able to bring it in at the same time; but we shall attend to the interests of Ireland. Original Motion, by leave, withdrawn. MEETINGS IN ROYAL PARKS. LEAVE. FIRST READING. MR. WALPOLE moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the more effectually and better securing the use of certain Royal Parks and Gardens for the recreation and enjoyment of Her Majesty's subjects. He said, that the object of the measure was to enable the law to be better enforced, not to alter it excepting as to the remedy. The Bill provided that no meeting of a public character should take place or be held without the permission of Her Majesty in any of the Royal Parks within the metropolis; and that any person convening, or assisting in convening, any public meeting in contravention of that Act, or any person joining or taking part in such a meeting, should be liable to be arrested and summarily convicted on application before one of the police magistrates, and on his conviction should be liable either to a penalty not exceeding £10, or to be imprisoned for a term not exceeding two months. MR. WHALLEY said, he wished to ask, whether there was any difference in the right hon. Gentleman's view between the meeting to be held in the Park on Monday and the meeting held there in July last? If there were any such difference, what was it? He was not speaking in the interests of the Reform League, for, if he had any voice with that body, he would try and put an end to the meeting. He was anxious to see the rather unsatisfactory conclusion of the previous discussion which had taken place that evening cleared up. MR. WALPOLE said, he had only to repeat that it would be the object of the Government to do nothing whatever which might tend to provoke a breach of the peace. At the same time, seeing what the law was and what the rights of the Crown were, they must take the necessary measures of precaution, so as to guard against any breach of the peace or any damage to life or property. With that object a sufficient force would be prepared and ready. He hoped, however, that seeing the conciliatory spirit in which the Government had acted, other parties would take such a course that there would be no probability of danger or of disturbance. INDEX то HANSARD'S PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, VOLUME CLXXXVI. SECOND VOLUME OF THE SESSION 1867. EXPLANATION OF THE ABBREVIATIONS. In Bills, Read 1o, 2o, 3o, or 1a, 2a, 3a, Read the First, Second, or Third Time.-In Speeches, When in this Index a* is added to the Reading of a Bill, it indicates that no Debate took When in the Text or in the Index a Speech is marked thus, it indicates that the Specch When in the Index a † is prefixed to a Name or an Office (the Member having accepted or Barrack Stores, Supply of, Question, Colonel Colour Serjeant T. Connell, Question, Colonel Household Cavalry Regiments, Question, Mr. Mar 28, 732 186: |