THE SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Lord BALFOUR of BURLEIGH)My Lords, I can state in a very few words the circumstances which have made it necessary to ask your Lordships to suspend the Standing Order which pro-vents the Electric Lighting Confirmation Bills being read a second time in this House, unless they are brought to it before a certain date from the other House of Parliament. A large number of applications for Provisional Orders were received by the Board of Trade in December last—no less than 161—from Local Authorities, relating to places outside the Metropolis, and therefore the model Order which was adjusted last year was not applicable to them. Two new model Orders had consequently to be adjusted this year. The objections made to the model Orders were very numerous, nearly 1,000 in number. Their nature was very complex, necessitating frequent communications with the Local Government Board and other Public Departments, but early in May the model forms of Order were circulated. Subsequently, the different Orders upon them had to be adjusted with the promoters of the undertakings, and the Local Authorities and those who might have objections to them. It was not possible, therefore, to introduce the Bill for confirming those Orders before the 23rd May, and then, the Orders being of an unusually voluminous character—they were not less than 54 in number—the printing was necessarily of a very elaborate description. The delay in proceeding in the other House of Parliament was very largely owing to the difficulty in getting the materials from the printers, and therefore, so far as 1695 that is concerned, no blame attaches to the Board of Trade. Under all the circumstances, and having regard to the important nature of the duties devolving on the Board of Trade in connection with electric lighting, and the very onerous nature of the inquiries with regard to electric lighting which, during the last 12 months, the Board of Trade have had to carry out, I have now to ask your Lordships to suspend the Standing Order for a fortnight. My Lords, I think I am in a position to say that no further relaxation of this Standing Order will be required during the present Session, if your Lordships should see fit to grant this suspension. I have spoken privately upon the subject to the noble Lord the Chairman of Committees, and I believe he will tell your Lordships that he sees no objection. Under those circumstances, I beg to propose the Motion which stands in my name.
§ Moved, "That the Sessional Order of the 10th of March last, 'That no Bill brought from the House of Commons confirming any Provisional Order or Provisional Certificate shall be read a second time after Friday the 27th day of June next,' be dispensed with in respect of Bills to confirm Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts, 1882 and 1888, and brought from the House of Commons on or before the 28th instant."—(The Lord Balfour.)
THE EARL OF MORLEYMy Lords, the notice which has been given by my noble Friend opposite is of a somewhat novel nature, and rather more comprehensive than usual; but he has explained to your Lordships fully the reasons which render the suspension specially necessary in this instance, and in the circumstances I should not think of opposing it. There is no doubt that electric lighting being a novel subject, a great many details of a preliminary nature had to be dealt with. A great number of Bills had to be prepared by the Board of Trade this year, and I believe the officials of the Department have done their best to introduce them in time, but for the reasons given by my noble Friend they have been delayed. I think, therefore, your Lordships will do well to suspend the Sessional Order in this case.
§ On Question, agreed to.