HC Deb 08 May 1893 vol 12 cc426-7
MR. MUNDELLA

I beg to move— That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the manner in which the Railway Companies have exercised the powers conferred upon them by the Railway Rates and Charges Order Confirmation Acts, 1891 and 1892, and to consider whether it is desirable to adopt any other than the exinting means of settling differences arising between the companies and the public with respect to the rates and conditions of charge for the conveyance of goods, and to report what means they recommend.

*COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

pointed out that there were no Representatives of Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, or Glasgow on the Committee.

MR. MUNDELLA

hoped the hon. Gentleman would not object. The Motion only asked for a reference to a Committee, and the names could then be finally selected from different sides of the House. The nomination of Members would rest with the House.

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH (Bristol, W.)

asked, if the Reference to Committee were voted now, would it be possible to take the names after 12 o'clock, or would any opposition stop it?

*MR. SPEAKER

said that each name could be submitted separately, and a vote taken on each.

SIR M. HICKS-BEACH

said, it was very advisable the Committee should be nominated; and if the Reference were agreed to that night, would the right hon. Gentleman place the names as the first Order on Thursday?

MR. MUNDELLA

assented.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

was strongly of opinion that a separate Committee was necessary to consider the case of the Irish railways. Ireland had suffered very much from these railway rates, and no place had suffered more from it than Belfast. For the present he guarded himself from accepting the present Reference.

MR. MUNDELLA

expressed the opinion that the hon. Gentleman would make a great mistake if he separated the Irish from the English question, because the Committee would inquire into the rates as they affected both England, Ireland, and Scotland; and Members representing the three countries would be on the Committee.

MR. BARTLEY

said, as the matter was so contentious he must object to the Motion being taken at that hour.

Motion deferred.