HC Deb 23 July 1889 vol 338 cc1086-7

Ordered, That in the case of the Metropolitan Electric Supply Bill, Standing Orders 84, 214, 215, and 239 be suspended, and that the Bill be now taken into consideration, provided amended prints shall have been previously deposited.

Bill considered.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Standing Orders 223 and 243 be suspended, and that the Bill be now read the third time."—(Mr. Herbert Gardner.)

MR. BATJMANN (Camberwell, Peckham)

At a former stage of the Bill I abandoned opposition to it, on the understanding that there should be ample opportunity of considering the Bill as amended. But the reprinted Bill has only been deposited this morning, and there has been no time for Members to read it or to study the Amendments which have been made in it. Considering that the Bill relates to the supply of the electric light for 50 years, and that consumers had no locus standi before the Committee, it seems unreasonable that the Bill should be rushed through the House in this manner. The Bill as first printed contained some very objectionable clauses, and it will be my duty to oppose it unless an assurance can be given that they have been removed.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.

I am able to give the assurance the hon. Member desires. The Amendments have been made by the Select Committee and the Bill is now absolutely identical with other Provisional Order Bills.

SIR G. CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy)

I also feel it my duty to protest of the rapid way which has been adopted of disposing of important Bills of this character without giving hon. Members an opportunity of considering them or of putting down amendments.

Question put, and agreed to.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a third time."

MR. BAUMANN

When we reach Clause 25, I propose to move an amendment to substitute two years for three years as the period for which consumers shall be bound in unscheduled streets.

* MR. SPEAKEE

It is now too late to move the Amendment.

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

My hon. Friend can raise the question on the other Bills when he has had an opportunity of seeing them.

* MR. SPEAKER

On the question that the Bill be read a third time, the hon. Member can move the rejection of the Bill but not to amend it.

MR. BAUMANN

I would humbly submit that we have not yet had an opportunity of considering the Bill as amended. I may be mistaken, but I thought the clauses, as amended, would have to be gone through.

* MR. SPEAKER

The Bill, as amended has been considered, and the Question now before the House is, that the Bill be read a third time. If the hon. Member wishes to oppose that Motion he can do so.

MR. BAUMANN

I thought the Question was that the Bill be now taken into consideration.

* MR. SPEAKER

No; that has already been done.

MR. BAUMANN

Then I can only say that I am very sorry that I allowed the stage to pass. I will move my Amendment on the other Bills.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read the third time, and passed.