MR. H.E. BRANDasked the Chairman of Ways and Means, Whether, having consideration to the late period of the Session, and the present state of Public Business, he intends to press the Motion which stands in his name, having reference to the amendment of Standing Order 167?
§ MR. LYON PLAYFAIR, in reply, said, that Bills involving capital amounting to almost £20,000,000 had been introduced this Session, and were now in suspense, asking for powers to pay interest out of capital during the construction of works in contravention of the Standing Order 167. The Select Committee this Session had recommended that, with certain precautions, the powers should be allowed, and had suggested that an Act should be passed in respect of them; and after consultation with the Board of Trade it was thought advisable that the Standing Order mentioned should be modified in the sense recommended by the Select Committee. Although the pressure of Public Business at present prevented the House from giving attention to this subject, he was unwilling, considering the magnitude of the interests involved, to abandon the hope that the House might find an opportunity of reconsidering the Standing Order, and he accordingly intended to put down his Motion for Tuesday week.