§ MR. GREGORYasked the President of the Board of Trade, If his attention 375 has been called to the Railway Bills in the present Session which propose to repeal or alter section 92 of "The Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845," and what course he proposes to take with respect to the same; and, whether he contemplates any terms being imposed upon the Railway Companies applying for further powers in the present Session, in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee on Railways?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINSir, my attention has been called to the Railway Bills of the present Session referred to; but I do not think it necessary to take any action with regard to thorn, for I learn that the proposal is not a new one, that similar provisions have for many Sessions past been inserted in a great number of Bills, and that the powers sought are carefully guarded by requiring the lands, buildings, or manufactories required to be taken to be described in the Schedule, and then only a portion of them can be taken when, in the judgment of the jury, arbitrator, or other authority assessing the compensation, it is fair and reasonable to do so. With regard to the second part of the Question, I have to say that it is my intention to call the attention of the Committees to whom Railway Bills of this Session may be referred to the recommendations contained in the Report of the Select Committee of last Session with regard to the classification of goods.