§ MR. EYKYNasked the President of the Board of Trade, If his attention has been directed to the three Tramway Bills introduced this Session, which seek powers for the Companies to work Tramways "with other than animal power;" and, if so, if he will state what course he purposes taking as to such three Bills?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE,in reply, said, that there was nothing in the General Tramways Act to prevent mechanical power being used on tramways, and that it was not the intention of the Board of Trade to oppose the second reading of the Bills in question on that ground. But he found that those Bills would have the effect of ousting the general right of the Board to inspect and grant certificates in the case of all railways on which steam power was to be used before they were open, and the promoters had been informed that that alone would be a sufficient reason for opposing the second reading. In the case of one of the Bills—the Edinburgh Tramway Bill—the clause relating to steam power had accordingly been struck out. In the case of another—the Vale of Clyde Tramway Bill—the promoters had engaged to carry out their undertaking subject to the consent of the Board of Trade before the line was opened, while the Columbia Market Tramway would require the certificate of the Board before opening.