HC Deb 11 July 1883 vol 281 cc1087-8

Order for Consideration, as amended, read.

MR. WHITLEY

wished to ask if it was true that Sir John Coode had been authorized, as Engineer, to draw up and examine the plans for the Mersey Conservancy Board, and under what circumstances, as Admiral Spratt was the Acting Conservator of the Mersey?

MR. DODDS

was understood to say that Sir John Coode had been so authorized.

MR. WHITLEY

said, that, in that case, he must ask that the Consideration of the Bill be deferred until to-morrow, as there was no one present to give the information he desired.

SIR ARTHUR OTWAY

said, that Sir John Coode had been asked to examine the plans; but he was not aware that that was a sufficient ground for asking that the Consideration of the Bill should be deferred. It would be a very unusual and a very strong step, because the hon. Member for Liverpool (Mr. Whitley) desired this information, to take the Bill out of the ordinary routine. The result would be to cause great inconvenience to the parties interested.

MR. DODDS

said, that it would serve every purpose if the hon. Member would ask the question on the third reading.

MR. WHITLEY

said, that, in justice to the parties locally interested, he felt bound to press for the delay of the Bill until to-morrow.

Bill, as amended, to be considered To-morrow.