SECOND READING. (Hansard, 11 March 1879)

§ MR. RAIKES
After this Bill shall have been read a second time, I intend to make a Motion which stands in my name on the Paper, my object being to have the Bill referred to a Hybrid Committee, in order that it may be determined, in some degree, what form of legislation shall be taken in regard to Bills of this character. There are before the House, in the present Session, I think, some 34 Bills in which provisions are taken for employing the electric light, or an improved mode of lighting; and it is clear that it will be a highly inconvenient arrangement to submit these various schemes to various Private Bill Committees, and to run the risk of producing the same chaos which for so many years prevailed in regard to Gas Bills. If the House will allow me, I will briefly state the history of the gas legislation of the House. In the year 1810, the first Gas Act was passed in regard to London, in connection with the Chartered Company, and in 1818 the first Gas Act relating to the country, which had reference to the City of Bath, was passed. From that time, owing to the happy-go-lucky system which seems to have prevailed in regard to the mode of conducting the Private Business of the House, several hundreds of Gas Acts have been passed, based upon very various principles, and dealing with the question in very various manners. The 627 consequence has been that a good deal of confusion has at times prevailed as to the precise rights of the Gas Companies, and the precise powers of the Committees. This being so, I venture to think that as we may, perhaps, be on the eve of a great change in our system of public lighting, we should do well to take some steps to secure something like uniformity and regularity in our prospective legislation. There is no Bill before Parliament this year in relation to the Metropolis which raises this question; and therefore it appears to me that the Liverpool Lighting Bill, which is one of great importance, affecting a large population and promoted by a public body—the Municipality of Liverpool—is a fit one upon which to raise a question like this. I may say that I have in view another Bill affecting another large and important community, which has not yet passed a second reading, in which case the Bill is promoted by a Gas Company and opposed by a Corporation. I hope, in that case, if the Bill is brought forward, to see it referred likewise to the same Committee, who will then have before them two alternative modes of procedure—in one case a scheme proposed by a Municipal Corporation and opposed by a local Gas Company, while in the other the position is reversed—the scheme being proposed by a local Gas Company and opposed by a Corporation. Such a Committee will, I think, be sufficient to thresh out all the different questions that are likely to arise; and the House will see that I propose to give them a rather large Order of Reference, in order to enable the Committee, if they think proper, to lay down any canons which it may be as well to follow in the consideration of cases of this sort hereafter. I have been in communication with several hon. Members with the view of obtaining their consent to serve on this Committee; and I am sure the House will fully appreciate the names of the gentlemen with whom I have spoken. I hope, in the course of another day or so, to be able to place on the Table of the House a list of the names, which I am sure will command the confidence of the House in dealing with a question of this sort—a question of the highest scientific interest, and of great practical importance to the country. I will, therefore, only add now that I support the second reading of the 628 Bill, but with the understanding that, as soon as it has been read a second time, I shall be allowed to propose the Motion which stands on the Paper in my name.

§ MR. RAIKES
I beg now to move— That the Bill be committed to a Select Committee of Seven Members, Four to be appointed by the House and Three by the Committee of Selection.

§ MR. RAIKES
I have now to move— That it be an Instruction to the Committee that they have power to inquire whether it is desirable to authorise any schemes for lighting by Electricity or other improved methods; to consider how far and under what conditions, if at all, the use of such modes of lighting should be sanctioned by Parliament in the case of Municipal Corporations, other local authorities, or Public Companies, and to report their opinion to the House; and that such of the Petitioners against the Bill as pray to be heard by themselves, their Counsel, or Agents be heard upon their Petitions (if presented on or before the 17th day of March), and Counsel heard in favour of the Bill against such Petitions:—That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records:—That Four be the quorum of the Committee. I have struck out of the Resolution after "other improved methods" the words "in thoroughfares and other places." I have done so because it has been intimated to me that there are such places as factories, churches, schools, theatres, and other places which, in the opinion of the Board of Trade, cannot be regarded as public places.