§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Jackson.)
§ MR. MARJORIBANKS (Berwickshire)I am not going to detain the House at any length. I only wish to ask two questions. I had hoped this Bill would have given effect to two small matters of detail which have often boon pressed upon the House, and which were contained in a Report of the Committee upon harbour accommodation. One is that the area to give collateral security should be increased in a manner something similar to that in vogue in Ireland, where two, three, four, or move baronies were allowed to join and give collateral security. The recommendation was that parts of counties, parishes or parts of parishes should be able to join and give collateral security for the money to make harbours in which they are interested. The second point is with regard to facilities being given to small harbours to consolidate existing debts. That, I think, has been before the Treasury on several occasions. I do not wish to press the matter now, beyond asking for some explanation, and asking whether something could not be done in this direction in Committee?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)With reference to the first question raised by the right hon. Gentleman, we have given effect to the pledge we made to the House to insert in this Bill increased powers of giving collateral security, and I am under the impression the Bill does give the power he desires because it gives power to any Local or Rural Authority to deal with the security, and to any Justice of Quarter Sessions and representative county boards, 205 and it gives the like power for Scotland and for Ireland. We were hoping that we had met this point very fully, because there is no bar not only to one authority of the county giving the security, but more than one authority of a county joining together for the like purpose. With reference to the other point, about the power, as he calls it, to consolidate existing debt, we are advised there is no power at present for that purpose—that is to say, there is no power to take up existing debts, or do otherwise than make advances for new works; and I am afraid there would be considerable difficulty created if that power were given, because I do not think it was ever the intention of Parliament to grant public money merely for the sake of saving interest upon existing debts, and that would be the only effect it could have. I quite sympathize with the objects the right hon. Gentleman has in view—namely, to enable these authorities, if possible, to borrow the money. However, that is a point that may be considered hereafter. I hope what I have said will meet the views of the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Question put, and agreed, to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for To-morrow.