§ GENERAL SIR GEORGE BALFOURasked the Secretary to the Treasury, If he will arrange to keep the House fully informed, now and in future, as to the state of the loans made by the Public Works Loan Commissioners to any of the many undertakings, such as harbours, &c, for which Private Bills are at present and may be before the House, for changes in the undertakings or in their management?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONI am always ready to give the House full information with respect to loans made by the Public Works Loan Commissioners; but I cannot see the necessity for any such arrangements as the hon. and gallant Member asks me to make. I understand his object to be to provide security against the passing of Private Acts which might, in their operation, prejudice the interests of the Public Works Loan Commissioners where they have lent money to local authorities. But I believe we already take all the precautions necessary to this end. Both the Treasury and the Loan Commissioners keep an eye upon the Private Bills of each Session, and take care to object to any clauses that would impair securities held by the Loan Board, and I am not aware that any instance could be cited in which they failed to notice proposed legislation of that character.