BELFAST MAIN DRAINAGE BILL

HC Deb 12 July 1887 vol 317 cc495-7

(by Order).

MR. EWART

resumed: It was my wish to say a few words in explanation and justification of the action of the promoters of this Bill; but in deference to an appeal made to me, and the feeling that seems to indicate that no such statement is required, I will content myself by saying that the promoters of the Bill will take every means to have the Amendments which were settled yesterday in the Franchise Bill carried out in the House of Lords.

MR. SEXTON

I understand that the hon. Baronet the Member for Mid Armagh has undertaken to give a public engagement to a similar effect.

SIR JAMES CORRY (Armagh, Mid)

I may say that we have agreed with the hon. Member as to Amendments and the Franchise Bill in "another place," and every expedition will be used to carry out this understanding.

MR. SEXTON

With the assurance that the promoters will exert their influence in "another place," to have the matter definitely closed upon the understanding arrived at, I assent to the Lords' Amendments.

Question put, and agreed to.

Lords' Amendments considered.

MR. SEXTON

I just wish to say that it was the introduction of Amendments in "another place" last year that led to all the trouble in reference to this Bill. This House inserted a clause extending the municipal franchise in Belfast to householders, and the House of Lords struck out the clause on the unreasonable plea that the Examiner on Standing Orders found that the clause was not in the original advertisement issued by the promoters. But it was impossible that it could be; the promoters had no intention of inserting a Franchise Clause, and not only so, but they opposed it when it was inserted, and struggled against it. As I have already said, the Examiner mistook his function, and the Committee on Standing Orders fortified him in his error; and the House of Lords, I con- ceive, acted unconstitutionally by denying the right of this House to insert any clause in any Bill at its discretion. Standing Orders are for the protection of the public interest against promoters of Private Bills; but no standing Order of the other House can cancel the right of this House to insert any Amendment in a Bill. If this matter had not been brought to a settlement—an amicable settlement—I should have felt it my duty to contest this action of the House of Lords on Constitutional grounds, and to press the House to restore the clause excluded by the Lords; but I am happy to say the Lords have seen fit to avoid the necessity for a further discussion of the Constitutional question, and I am relieved from further argument in reference to this Bill. Both Houses have now agreed to a Public Bill by which the municipal franchise is extended to all householders and ratepayers of Belfast, and this franchise will be made applicable to the Register for the present year. The Bill prescribes that the whole of the Town Council shall go out of office next November, and until the new franchise has been exercised there will be no action taken, and no liabilities incurred upon the scheme now before us in this Bill. I am satisfied with that. I believe the House has wisely and effectually protected the householders and ratepayers of Belfast from any action by the existing Council in reference to this Bill. The Council never consulted the ratepayers, never gave them an opportunity of forming an opinion. It is an effete body; it has no representative character or moral authority, and has disgraced itself by its stealthy action in reference to this Bill. I certainly should never have assented to this Bill if power had remained in the hands of this Council; but the Council is tied hand and foot, it is placed in a straight waistcoat, and there is nothing left for it but to await its dying moment with no power over this scheme. In view of the pledge that has been given, in view of our having arrived at a decisive agreement, there remaining, I think, only one word in dispute, I make no attempt to further delay the passage of this Bill. Though the Belfast Main Drainage Bill is an old friend of mine, I part with it without regret, and I am sure I may add that the House is not sorry to see "the last of it. I would beg hon. Gentlemen oppo- site to believe that my opposition was directed by an imperative sense of public duty; and they will admit that though there were times when it was attended with some inconvenience, my opposition has been justified by the practical test of success.

Lords' Amendments agreed to.

MR. EWART

In view of what has taken place, it is not my intention to move the clause of which I have given Notice.