HC Deb 10 February 1891 vol 350 cc298-9

Motion made, and Question proposed That leave be given to bring in a Bill to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board of Trade under 'The Railway and Canal Traffiic Act, 1888,' containing the Classification of Merchandise Traffic, and the Schedule of Maximum Rates and Charges applicable thereto, of the Great Northern Railway Company, and certain other Railway Companies connected therewith."—(Sir M. Hicks Beach.)

(3.58.) MR. P. STANHOPE (Wednesbury)

Before the Question is put I should like to obtain, if possible, an undertaking from the President of the Board of Trade that he will give, the House an opportunity of discussing the general principle contained in this and the other Bills about to be brought forward. I admit, of course, that the general terms of these Bills have already been more or less defined by the Railway Act passed two years ago; but there are other proposals made by the Board of Trade which, in my opinion, ought to be fully discussed by the House before the Bills are sent to a Select Committee. I will therefore ask if the right hon. Gentleman will undertake that the Committee shall be large one, and representative of all sections in the House, so that this question may be fully and adequately discussed?

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

Some time must necessarily elapse before the Second Reading of the Bills can be moved, and in the interval it will be my duty to ascertain what is the desire of the House in the matter. I should like to point out that it is absolutely impossible for the details of the classification or of rates to be discussed in a Debate in the House of Commons; these matters can only be settled by a strong Joint Committee of both Houses, to which I hope these Bills will be referred without any unnecessary delay.

Question put, and agreed to.