HC Deb 23 April 1861 vol 162 cc981-2

Order for Second Reading read; Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

LORD JOHN MANNERS

said, that although he did not intend to oppose the second reading of this Bill, he begged to say he reserved to himself the right of opposing it on a future occasion, if it should turn out that the Commission which Her Majesty's Government had appointed should recommend by their Report a scheme different from that proposed by this private Bill. He had now several times raised his voice, apparently in vain, against this system of piecemeal legislation on this subject. They would find railways running under their feet, and possibly over their heads; and after some years Parliament would be blamed for its inattention to the general question.

MR. COWPER

said, he objected to this Bill on principle, which purported to allow a railway company to take possession of what they all hoped would be a great public thoroughfare. He also objected to it because this company proposed to take a large sum of public money in order to effect their operations. He was willing that the Bill should be considered by the Commission and compared with the other schemes; but he could not agree to its being read a second time that day. He, therefore, begged to move, by way of Amendment, that the Bill be read a second time that day fortnight.

Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day fortnight."

Question proposed, "That the word 'now,' stand part of the Question."

MR. MURRAY

said, that as he had charge of the Bill, he had no objection to postpone the Motion for a fortnight.

MR. W. WILLIAMS

said, that a Bill which required public money ought to be a Public Bill. It was most objectionable that a Bill of this kind should be carried through as a private measure. He hoped that the plan of embankment should be carried out on the south side of the river as well as on the north.

Amendment and Motion, by leave, with- drawn; Bill to be read 2o on Tuesday, 7th May.