tically exercising at present was sufficient to deal with the matter. MR. T. D. SULLIVAN said, the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Secretary of State for the Home Department need not have apologized for the omission of these sections. The Irish Mem bers only wished he would go a little further and strike out the whole clause. Question put, and negatived; words struck out accordingly. Question put, "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill." The Committee divided :-Ayes 99; Noes 26: Majority 73.- (Div. No. 157.) List, Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill. Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Secretary Sir William Harcourt.) MR. HEALY said, that before the Motion was put he would like to remind the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Secretary of State for the Home Department that the Committee had now waited more than a week, and they had not yet seen the clauses which the Government proposed to bring up with relation to combinations and associations. SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT said, he had put the clauses on the Paper that night. Hon. Gentlemen would see them to-morrow. Question put, and agreed to. Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow, at Two of the clock. COPYRIGHT (MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS) BILL.-[BILL 161.] (Mr. Gorst, Mr. Arthur Balfour, Mr. Beresford Hope, Viscount Folkestone.) COMMITTEE. Bill considered in Committee. (In the Committee.) Clause 1 (Printed notice restraining public performance). Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill." VISCOUNT FOLKESTONE said, that before the clause was passed he would Sir William Harcourt move the addition of the words "of every edition and every published copy" after the word "cover," in line 13. Amendment proposed, In page 1, line 13, to add, after the word "cover," the words "of every edition and of every published copy."—(Viscount Folkestone.) Amendment agreed to; words added. Question, "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill," put. and agreed to. Clause 2 (Action for penalties under 3 and 4 W. 4, c. 15, to be dismissed in certain cases). Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill." VISCOUNT FOLKESTONE moved, as an Amendment, in page 1, line 19, to leave out "incumbent upon the proprietor of such copyright," and insert necessary." The noble Viscount said, it did not appear to be generally understood that the owner of the copyright and the owner of the performing right were two distinct persons. If the word necessary were inserted, the clause would not point at the wrong person, as it did at present. Amendment agreed to; word substituted. VISCOUNT FOLKESTONE moved, as an Amendment, in page 1, line 21, to insert after "Act" "Or that, in the case of musical compositions printed before the passing of this Act, and in which such right of public representation or performance and such copyright are not vested has within six months after the passing of this in the same person, and notice to the like effect Act been given by the person in whom such right of public representation or performance is vested to the person in whom for the time being such copyright is vested." The noble Viscount said the object of the Amendment was that people who wished to sing a song, and who did not know in whom the right of public performance was vested, should have a ready means of ascertaining the fact. At present there were no means of ascertaining the fact; but under this Amend ment it would be necessary that the person in whom the copyright was vested should keep a list in his shop, or place of business, of the names of those in whom the right of public performance was vested. Amendment proposed, In page 1, line 21, after "Act," insert" or that, in the case of musical compositions printed before the passing of this Act, and in which such right of public representation or perform ance and such copyright are not vested in the same person, a notice to the like effect has within six months after the passing of this Act been given by the person in whom such right of public representation or performance is vested to the person in whom for the time being such copyright is vested."-(Viscount Folkestone.) Question proposed, "That those words be there inserted." MR. WHITLEY doubted whether the Amendment would really carry out the intention of the noble Viscount. It was proposed that notice should be given by the person in whom the right of public representation or performance was vested to the person in whom the copyright was vested. VISCOUNT FOLKESTONE said, that that was not the person performing. MR. WHITLEY said, assuming that a person had not given that notice at all, and brought an action for penalties— VISCOUNT FOLKESTONE said, it was only in regard to the performing right that they would wish that an action for penalties should be brought. MR. GORST said, the Amendment carried out the object of the noble Viscount. The owners of the performing right in some cases were not the owners of the copyright, and a person who sang a song, if he wished to retain the performing right, would give notice to the person who owned the copyright. person, therefore, to find out if a certain song could be sung, would have to go to the owner of the copyright for information. That was the law, whether it was a protected song or not. A he did not propose to offer any opposition to the second reading, and he only reserved to himself the right in Committee to move the omission of a couple of lines, so that the Act would allow anybody to appear to represent himself. Bill read a second time, and committed for Monday next. HIGHWAY RATE AND EXPENDITURE BILL. On Motion of Mr. DODSON, Bill to extend certain provisions of "The Poor Rate Assessment and Collection Act, 1869," to the Highway Rate; and for other purposes, ordered to be brought in by Mr. DODSON and Mr. HIBBERT. Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 209.] House adjourned at half after Two o'clock. HOUSE OF LORDS, Tuesday, 20th June, 1882. MINUTES.]-PUBLIC BILLS-Second ReadingLunacy Districts (Scotland)* (117); Interments (felo de se) (130); Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 2)* (134); Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 4) * (150) ; Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 6)* (135); Local Government Provisional Order (No. 7) (145); Local Government Provisional Order (No. 8)* (146); Local Government Provisional Orders (No. 9)* (147); Local Government Provisional Order (No. 10)* (136); Local Government Provisional Order (No. 11)* (152); Local Government (Gas) Provisional Order * (144); Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Orders (No. 2)* (132); Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Orders (No. 3) (133); Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Orders (No. 5)* (153); Land Drainage Provisional Order* (131); Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders (148); Tramways Provisional Orders (No. 3) (149); Customs and Inland Revenue Buildings (Ireland) * (142). Select Committee Report - Roads Provisional Order (Edinburgh) * (78). Committee Tramways Provisional Orders (No. 2) * (126). Committee-Report-Election of Representative Peers (Ireland)* (137); Public Health (FruitPickers' Lodgings) (127); Local Government Provisional Order (Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings) (121); Intermediate Education (Ireland) * (138). Third Reading-Elementary Education Provisional Orders Confirmation (Finchley, &c.) * (63), and passed. INTERMENTS (FELO DE SE) BILL. (The Earl Fortescue.) (NO. 130.) SECOND READING. last Session in legislation on subjects of general public interest, the present Session promised to be still more unfruitful. At the present time two important Irish Bills were preventing the progress of Order of the Day for the Second Read-all other Business, and they were proing read. ceeding at a rate which might be comEARL FORTESCUE, in moving that pared with that of a yacht in a calm. the Bill be now read a second time, It seemed probable that most of the imsaid, that the Bill in question had al- portant Bills announced in Her Majesty's ready passed through the House of Com- Gracious Speech would not even be mons without opposition. The former introduced in Parliament, and it seemed legal requirements for the burial of certain that they would not pass any persons who had committed felo-de-se legislation of public interest. No meawere well known. They had to be in- sure announced in the Speech from terred at the junction of four cross roads, the Throne had attracted more attenwith a stake driven through them, and tion than the Local Government Bill. without any religious service whatever. It having been long recognized that Most of these had been repealed nearly our present system was in a state of 50 years ago by an Act which admitted confusion, several successive Governthe suicide's corpse to the parish church-ments had announced their intention of yard, but required interment to take dealing with the subject, and a measure place between 9 and 12 at night within was very anxiously expected by the 24 hours of the finding of the ver- country. Any Bill that might be introdict; and that had been interpreted duced must be thorough and compreto mean privately by the police. Be-hensive, and considerable time must be sides, a religious service would now be performed over them under the recent Burial Act. The object of the Bill was to allow persons who had committed suicide to be buried by their relatives instead of by the police, and at a reasonable hour instead of at night. given to its consideration. If the Government hoped to legislate on the subject next Session, it would be well to bring in a measure without delay, so that Parliament and the country might have ample time to study its provisions. What reason, he asked, existed for refusing to introduce the measure in their Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a." Lordships' House, whose Members ought -(The Earl Fortescue.) all to be well acquainted with the sub Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accord-ject of local government? The question ingly, and committed to a Committee of Government would, perhaps, be better was not a Party one, and the present the Whole House on Thursday next. able than the Party opposite to handle the subject efficiently, since it was generally recognized that the changes which THE HOUSE OF LORDS-THE LOCAL ought to be made must interfere, to a GOVERNMENT BILL. considerable extent, with the privileges at present possessed by the magistrates. It was said that the Bill dealt with local taxation, and, therefore, was a Money Bill, and could only be brought in in the House of Commons. Well, the relations between the two Houses were well known, and the House of Commons could take care of its own privileges. The House of Commons had never shown itself either unwilling or unable to guard its privileges; and if that House was at any time of opinion that those privi leges had been infringed by their Lordships dealing with a subject which might be supposed more peculiarly to belong to them, they had the remedy in their own hands-namely, that of throwing out the Bill sent down by their Lordships. Looking at the present condition of Business, he believed the House of Commons would think that their Lordships were performing a public service by discussing a question which could not but be of very great importance. The argument to which he had just adverted had often been disregarded, notably in the case of the Rivers Conservancy Bill, which was introduced in their Lordships' House, and by which it was proposed to tax every parish in the Kingdom. Seeing that, from the stagnation of Business in the House of Commons, the Local Government Bill could not be introduced there, he begged to ask the Government whether they would not give their Lordships an opportunity of considering it? LORD CARRINGTON said, that a month ago, when the noble Earl (the Earl of Onslow) brought this question before the notice of their Lordships, he did not attempt to argue as to facts; but, anticipating the answer he was about to receive, he sought to demolish the arguments on which he thought it would be based; and it appeared to him the noble Earl (the Earl of Camperdown) had proceeded upon the same lines. The noble Earl had adduced as an argument in support of his request the fact that the Rivers Conservancy Bill was introduced in their Lordships' House. But that Bill dealt with other matters besides the question of local taxation-the conservancy of rivers, for instance, and the prevention of floods; and the clauses relating to local taxation were sent to the other House in red ink. But the most conclusive answer to his noble Friend's contention was the statement made in "another place" by the Prime Minister, who declared, on April 24, that the Bill could not be proceeded with this Session. It should be remembered that the County Government Bill, which the Government intended at one time to introduce, would create in counties a new authority analogous to that now existing in municipal boroughs, who would be intrusted with the management of the whole county finance. It had also been contemplated, in connection with the measure, to make proposals with regard to the most provident form of contribution from Imperial funds in aid of local charges. The rais ing and management of local taxation were the principal features of the measure; and, therefore, he submitted that the introduction of the Bill in their Lordships' House would not be consistent with precedent. EARL STANHOPE said, he regretted that the Government had not introduced in their Lordships' House any Bill of first-rate importance. He regretted the fact the more, because their Lordships had agreed to sit an hour earlier in the day than formerly, in order to have ample time in which to transact Business. If the Bill to which attention had been drawn by the noble Earl opposite could not be introduced in that House, why not introduce in it the Bankruptcy Bill, or some of the other measures of importance mentioned in the Speech from the Throne? No Assembly was better fitted than their Lordships' House, which contained so many learned Lords celebrated for their legal knowledge, to discuss such a Bill as the Bankruptcy Bill. He thought it a hard thing that they should sit there day after day with their arms folded without having any Business brought before them. He wished to know whether the Government intended to give their Lordships any work to do this Session ? EARL GRANVILLE said, he was aware that reasonable complaint was made in connection with the subject of the non-introduction of Bills in that House. It was a complaint which had been made in the last few Sessions, and frequently before. Lord Aberdeen in 1853 said that the complaint had been continually made since the commencement of the present century. His Colleagues in the Ministry were aware how often he had implored them to allow certain Bills to be introduced in their Lordships' House. Unfortunately, good reasons were always given against that step. Those good reasons existed even in the case of the Conservative Government, which, though it had a large majority in their Lordships' House, had always felt it expedient that more Bills should be introduced in the House of Commons than in the House of Lords. THE CHANNEL TUNNEL SCHEME. QUESTION. OBSERVATIONS. VISCOUNT BURY said, he only rose for the purpose of asking his noble Friend -REPARATION TO BRITISH SUB. JECTS. QUESTION. OBSERVATIONS. (the Earl of Morley) to fulfil the promise | EGYPT THE RIOTS AT ALEXANDRIA he had made in the early part of the Session, when he (Viscount Bury) had put several Questions regarding the progress of the Channel Tunnel. The noble Earl had always said that a Technical THE EARL OF FEVERSHAM, in Committee was sitting at the War Office, rising to ask the Secretary of State for that the whole matter was being brought | Foreign Affairs, What measures Her before them, and that as soon as they Majesty's Government have taken or inhad reported their Lordships should tend to take to exact reparation for the know the result of their deliberations. murder and outrage of British subjects He wished, therefore, to ask for the pro- in Alexandria, and for the future security duction of that Report. No doubt most of the lives and property of our fellowof their Lordships were aware of the countrymen in Egypt? said, their Lordsense in which the Committee had re- ships were only too well aware of the ported. It was matter of notoriety grave state of affairs in Egypt, and of amongst all those-and they were a large the catastrophe which had occurred at number-who had taken a great interest Alexandria, in which the lives of more in the question of the construction of than 200 Europeans had been sacrificed, the Tunnel. He would only suggest to and in which British subjects had been his noble Friend that they should not outraged and slaughtered under the guns be supplied with a part, but with the of the British Fleet. Thus valuable Report of the Committee in its en- lives had been sacrificed and the national tirety. flag insulted. That unfortunate circumstance had caused a great panic among the European population, and last week had witnessed the terrible spectacle of the whole European population flying from the country, and undergoing all the distress incidental to such an event. It would not be the proper occasion on which to enter upon the various considerations which might be brought forward in a debate upon this subject, or to enter into the causes which led to this disaster; but he might be permitted to remark that much of the evils which had occurred and of the misfortunes which had arisen might, in his humble judgment, be attributed to the departure by Her Majesty's Government from the traditional policy of this country, the policy of Lord Aberdeen and of Lord Palmerston, a policy which was ably carried out by Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, and which was continued under the Administration of Lord Beaconsfield-namely, that we should maintain the independence and integrity of the Turkish Empire. They had allowed the peace of that country to be disturbed and the rights of the Sultan in Egypt to be interfered with; in other words, they had allowed him to be stripped of his Sovereign rights over a very large part of his Empire. Her Majesty's present Advisers had recognized the loss by Turkey of her Sovereignty in Tunis, and so, in his opinion, they had alienated the Government of Turkey. At all events, THE EARL OF MORLEY: My Lords, I am not at present in a position to give a categorical answer to the noble Lord's Question. The Report to which he refers is now under the consideration of the military authorities of the War Office, and until they have expressed their opinions upon it, it is impossible to determine whether it should be presented to Parliament or not; and if it is presented, whether it should be given in its entirety, as I need not point out to the noble Lord that some portions of the Report are of a very confidential character. I am not surprised at the interest which my noble Friend and the country take in the question, and I can only say that what information can be given to the House, when the opinions of the military authorities have been taken, will be presented, with any other Papers which can be communicated to Parliament. At the same time, I must observe that I did not make the promise the noble Viscount has referred to. I only promised that the whole subject should be fully considered, and that the Report should be presented in a form most consistent with the interests of the Public Service. VISCOUNT BURY said, he was not at all satisfied with the answer the noble Earl had given, and he should be compelled, if their Lordships did not get the information that he asked for, to make a Motion on the subject. Viscount Bury |