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MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSON moved—
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provisions in regard to the construction and maintenance of certain works of public and local utility in the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
§ (4.0.) Motion made, and Question proposed, "That leave be given to bring in the Bill."—(Mr. J. P. B. Robertson.)
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN (Birmingham, W.)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can conveniently give the House some account of the provisions of the Bill?
§ MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONThe Bill is ready, and will be circulated almost immediately. It tells its own story, and does not involve any points of controversy, or even details that require special notice. In distributing the money which has been already voted by Parliament, it is necessary to provide bodies which are legally qualified to be the recipients of, and the applicants for, the money so voted. The Government had to vest in the Local Authorities powers to apply the money, and the Bill is entirely devoted to that object. It has been considered advisable to give the Local Authorities what are practically Provisional Orders all in one Bill, for the purpose of the administration of harbours. Otherwise each Local Authority, even after the passing of the Bill, would be obliged to come to Parliament in the usual way to obtain authority under a Provisional Order. The larger part of the Bill is entirely occupied with the commonplaces of Provisional Orders. It has been considered best to take the two steps at once, and to vest the powers in the Local Authorities.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill ordered to be brought in by the Lord Advocate, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Mr. Solicitor General for Scotland.
§ Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 396.]