HL Deb 13 July 1860 vol 159 cc1843-4

LORD REDESDALE moved, that this Bill (which is a private Bill), be read 3a.

LORD ST. LEONARDS

remarking on the exclusive advantages which these companies obtained by private Acts of Parliament, suggested that a general Act ought to be passed, and expressed a hope that with that object the Government would early next Session give the subject their serious consideration.

LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY

thought it very desirable that when lending powers of this kind were given to a company there should be some independent tribunal established to see that the money advanced was expended on a bonâ fide improvement. The question ought to form the subject of general legislation. It was very desirable, too, that some system should be adopted with regard to these private Bills which would bring them more particularly under the notice of the House, requiring them, for instance, to go through a Committee of the whole House.

LORD REDESDALE

did not think that any good would be derived from treating these Bills in a different manner from other private Bills. It would be much better that the subject should be dealt with by a general law.

EARL GRANVILLE

said, the subject should be taken into consideration by the Government, but, of course, he could not give a pledge that they would take any action upon it.

THE EARL OF DERBY

thought it most objectionable that any lending or borrowing powers beyond those of the ordinary law should form part of a private Bill. If legislation were necessary, it should be in the shape of a general measure. He had strong objections to the Bill, though he could not take upon himself the responsibility of moving its rejection; but if there were a distinct understanding that the Government and the House would for the future set their faces against the introduction of such Bills some good would have been done by the present discussion.

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH

shared the opinion of the noble Earl that this matter should be dealt with in a general measure.

LORD ST. LEONARDS

proposed that the consideration of the present and another similar Bill should be postponed for a fortnight.

THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH

explained that the Scottish Drainage and Improvement Company had been in existence for some time, and that it now sought merely to be placed in the same position as another company of the same kind in Scotland. He deprecated the maintenance of a monopoly, and opposed the Motion for postponement.

LORD ST. LEONARDS moved, That the further Debate be adjourned to Friday next.

On Question, That the said Debate be adjourned to Friday next? their Lordships divided:—Contents 36; Not-Contents 39: Majority 3.

Resolved in the negative: Then the original Motion was agreed to: Bill read 3a accordingly: an Amendment made: Bill passed and sent to the Commons.