MR. CRAIG-SELLAR (Lanarkshire, Partick)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Government adhere to their intention of introducing a Bill to improve and cheapen the process of Private Bill Legislation; if so, whether they will consent to the appointment of a Select Committee to which that Bill, and a Bill on the same subject which stands for Second Reading on 20th April, shall be referred; and, in not, whether they will consent to the appointment of a Select Committee to consider the best means of carrying out the recommendation of the Procedure Committee of last Session, to the effect that—
Arrangements should be made to relieve the House from the duties now discharged by Private Bill Committees?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)The Government, I am happy to say, are quite agreed with the hon. Gentleman in the object he has in view, and it is their intention to introduce a Bill in the House of Lords dealing with the question. But they do not object to the Bill of the hon. Member being read a second time on the 20th instant; and if it is read a second time they would propose that it be referred to a Select Committee, in order that progress may be made with their measure, which they regard as of the first value and great importance.