§ MR. THOMAS HENRY BOLTON (St. Pancras, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, as portions of Tramways (in London) will, in the course of next year, become subject to the option of purchase reserved to Local Authorities under "The Tramways Act, 1870," and as the London County Council has passed a resolution in support of the proposal to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the operation of that Act, and to consider and report as to the desirability of further legislation in the interests of the public with reference to 542 tramways (notice relating to Orders of the Day, 9th May next), whether the Government will consent to the immediate appointment of the proposed Select Committee in order that the inquiry may commence without any delay?
§ *SIR M. HICKS BEACHTramway legislation is, no doubt, of great importance to the London County Council, but it is of still greater importance to other Local Authorities, who have not, so far as I am aware, expressed any opinion with regard to it; and, under all the circumstances, I am not prepared to grant a Committee without debate.
§ MR. T. H. BOLTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London County Council are of opinion that this question is so important that they have been carefully considering the whole matter, that they are prepared to give evidence if a Committee is appointed, and that the Tramway Companies themselves appreciate the necessity of the inquiry?
§ *SIR M. HICKS BEACHThat may be very possible.