§ MR. H. HOAREI beg to ask the Solicitor General whether he can explain how far the Parish Councils will have any power over lanes and bye-roads by reason of Clause 6 of the Local Government (England and Wales) Bill, or whether power over all highways of all kinds is, by this Bill, vested in the District Council under Clause 24 (1); and whether he has taken means to ascertain whether the latter plan would be distasteful or not to the parishes concerned, and whether it would be expensive?
§ * THE SOLICITOR GENERAL (Sir J. RIGBY,) ForfarSpeaking generally, it is not thought by the Government to be a convenient course to anticipate in any way the discussion which may take place on the different clauses of the Bill. But in this particular case, and out of courtesy to the hon. Member, I am permitted to explain that it is the intention of the Government that no powers over highways should be vested in Parish Councils under Clause 6 of the Bill, but that all powers heretofore exercised by the parishes through the surveyors of highways be transferred to the District Councils under Clause 24 of the Bill. There are some cases in which highways are not under the control of parishes or other Highway Authorities, and these cases are not dealt with by the Bill. I have nothing to do with the subject of the second part of the question, and can give no answer.
§ In answer to Mr. HANBURY,
§ SIR J. RIGBYsaid, that highways repaired by any persons ratione tenuræ were within the exception mentioned.
§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)When will the Amendments be laid on the Table? I hope that they will not be sprung on the House at the last minute.
§ * SIR J. RIGBYI am not aware to what Amendments the hon. Member refers. It is not proposed to amend this 1028 clause in any way with reference to this question. It is supposed that the Bill already carries out the intention.