HC Deb 26 June 1871 vol 207 cc639-41

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Schedule again read.

MR. BERESFORD HOPE

said, that several of the schemes embodied in the Bill provided for tramways in leading thoroughfares of the Metropolis, including New Oxford Street, London Bridge, Lombard Street, and many others which he named; and he contended that London ought not to be dealt with in this way, by Provisional Orders relating to particular routes; but that the requirements of the Metropolis as a whole ought to be deliberately considered by Parliament and provided for in one comprehensive, complete, and harmonious scheme, if tramways were to be generally adopted. He had, therefore, given Notice of his intention to move the omission of all the Provisional Orders relating to London, and would now move that the first of these be struck out.

Amendment proposed, in page 42, line 23, to leave out from the words "London Street Tramways (Extensions, &c.)" to the words "traffic therein," in page 54, line 17.—(Mr. Beresford Hope.)

Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Schedule."

MR. R. N. FOWLER moved to report Progress.

MR. T. CHAMBERS

hoped the Motion for reporting Progress would not be persisted in. The Bill was founded upon the well-considered statute of last Session, upon the faith of which capital had been subscribed, and the consent of the local authorities to the proposed schemes obtained.

MR. SCLATER-BOOTH

said, the Bill of last Session was passed, like all the Acts of last Session, at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning, in solemn silence. The Board of Trade alone was responsible for the passing of the General Act of last year.

MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE

denied that the Board of Trade was responsible for the passing of the Bill of last year, whatever responsibility they might have in the matter was shared by the House. If the Committee were to decide upon the general question, it would be well to take a division at once; but if time were desired to see whether an arrangement could be made as to what tramways should be abandoned, he would consent to reporting Progross.

MR. W. H. SMITH

suggested that the tramways should be put under a central authority, who should represent the public generally. The House had done wrong in giving such enormous powers to the Board of Trade last Session.

MR. LOCKE

alleged that the Board of Trade had acted in the most secret manner last Session. The hon. and learned Member for Marylebone had secured his own object, and now he desired to crush everybody else. The sooner the Board of Trade was reformed the better, for they were the creators of nuisances.

Motion made, and Question, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again,"—(Mr. Robert Fowler,)—put, and negatived.

Question again proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Schedule."

Question put.

The Committee divided:—Ayes 105; Noes 116: Majority 11.

Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Thursday.