§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTsaid, he had been requested to present a Petition from Chichester, Arundel, Littlehampton, Midhurst, and 126 parishes in the Western Division of the county of Sussex, against the Bills promoted by the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company, and eight other great Railway Companies, in reference to railway rates and charges. He wished to ask the Speaker whether, supposing those Bills should unfortunately be read a second time in that House, and referred to an ordinary Private Bill Committee, the Petitions which he now presented would be laid before that Committee?
§ MR. SPEAKERI must remind the hon. and gallant Baronet that these various Bills might be referred to several Committees, and it is difficult to see how the Petitions could be presented to each Committee.
§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTCould they not be referred to one of the Committees—namely, that upon the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Bill?
§ MR. SPEAKERThat would be irregular.
§ Ordered, That the Petitions lie upon the Table.