§ Order for consideration, as amended, read.
§ MR. CHEETHAMhoped that the House would uphold the decision of the Committee.
§ MR. HENLEYsaid, that this was a larger amalgamation than had been permitted to take place between competing lines. If Parliament consented to this amalgamation he hardly knew what amalgamation or what anomalies it could object to.
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONthought that the parties who had been to the Board of Trade to make representations against this Bill would have done well to make them before the Committee, and to substantiate them by evidence. The Committee had decided that there was a special case for amalgamation, and he advised the House to support the decision of its Committee.
§ MR. POWELLdenied that the towns affected by this Bill were satisfied with the proposed amalgamation.
§ MR. VANCEbelieved that the traders and manufacturers of Yorkshire were favourable to the measure.
§ MR. SOTHERON ESTCOURTthought that the President of the Board of Trade had only done his duty in calling the attention of the House to the circumstances of this amalgamation. He would advise his right hon. Friend to move the rejection of the Bill on the third reading, if, upon further consideration, he should con- 1706 sider the precedent established by it mischievous and dangerous.
§ Clause added: Amendments made.
§ Bill to be read 3°.