LEAVE. FIRST READING. (Hansard, 3 March 1863)

§ MR. GATHORNE HARDY
said, that in the absence of the right hon. Baronet the Member for Petersfield (Sir W. Jolliffe) the cause of whose absence they all deplored, he rose to move for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Acts relating to the turnpike roads in the neighbourhood of the metropolis north of the river Thames. The metropolitan roads had been under the charge of Commissioners, of whom the right hon. Baronet the Member for Petersfield was one, and upon former occasions turnpikes had been removed, and the charge of the roads transferred to the parishes. A Royal Commission which sat in 1859 recommended a large extension of that arrangement, and the Bill proposed to relieve fifty-one miles of road within the district governed by the Metropolis Local Management Act, by removing twenty-fire turnpike gates, and fifty-six side gates, which were serious impediments to traffic. In order that any parishes which might be affected by the Bill should have an opportunity of stating their objections, he proposed to take the second reading before Easter, and afterwards to refer the Bill to a Select Committee, where all parties could be heard. Being a hybrid Bill, it would afterwards come before a Committee of the Whole House, so that there would be ample opportunities for the parishes to state their views. The hon. Member concluded by moving for leave to introduce the Bill.

§ SIR GEORGE GREY
said, he had been in communication with the right hon. Member for Petersfield, whom he had assured of his cordial support in carrying 1040 out the object in view. The reference to a Select Committee would, he thought, meet all the objections that could be raised.

§ VISCOUNT ENFIELD
said, that he thought the subject was in very good hands, and was glad to find it was intended to send the Bill to a Select Committee; but he wished to know whether it would be a Committee of thirteen or fifteen Members, or one of five Members. [Mr. GATHORNE HARDY: Of five Members.] That would meet all objection, as it would enable the parishes, some of which were grievously burdened, to appear and state their cases.