HC Deb 18 July 1859 vol 154 cc1381-2

Order for Consideration read.

VISCOUNT DUNCAN

said, in this Bill, as it originally stood, Clause 30 enabled the Treasury to give a guarantee and make an agreement with the Company for the use of the telegraph for Her Majesty's service. He thought guarantee clauses were most objectionable, and he had therefore given notice of his intention to move that this clause be left out. Since he had done so he found the promoters had struck out the clause, but in order to give hon. Members an opportunity of considering it in its present form he would move the clause be printed and placed in the hands of hon. Members, and that, in the meantime, the Bill be postponed.

MR. LAING

observed that the clause referred to by the noble Lord was inserted in the Bill by the promoters, entirely without the sanction of the Government; and the Government intimated that they would oppose the Bill, unless the clause in question was struck out. The clause had, consequently, been struck out.

MR. ELLICE

(Coventry) said, he thought it was the duty of the Secretary to the Treasury to see that no such clause was inserted in a private Bill. He understood it was stated by the promoters of the Bill and by the Committee that the clause was inserted by the direction of the Treasury, but whether that was the case or not, the question for the House to consider was, whether these Bills were to be passed on the understanding that they were private Bills, with clauses not only enabling the Treasury to grant guarantees, but enabling them also to do so without the sanction of that House. This was matter for serious consideration.

SIR HENRY WILLOUGHBY

said, he should support the Motion of the noble Lord. It was extraordinary that such a clause could get into a private Bill without the knowledge of the Government.

COLONEL FRENCH

said, that he saw no reason for the indignation expressed by hon. Members. The power given by the Bill was no new power. In a great number of railway Bills authority was given to the Post Office to make arrangements for the conveyance of mails; and that authority appeared to rest on a similar principle as the power originally given by the present Bill.

Consideration, as amended, deferred till To-morrow.