§
Resolution reported,
That it is expedient to authorise the Treasury to guarantee the interest, at the rate of 3 per cent., on £260,000 of the capital of the West Highland Railway Company, and to pay a sum of money, not exceeding £30,000, to that company; and to authorise the payment, out of moneys to he provided by Parliament, and if those moneys are insufficient, out of the Consolidated Fund, of such sums as may he necessary for those purposes.
§ Resolution read a second time.
§ Motion made, and question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."
§ MR. J. H. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy District)expressed surprise that a matter of this great importance should have been put forward late in the preceding day, when very few Members knew the importance of the Motion then made. This was a matter that would require very considerable consideration, and would give rise to keen opposition. He thought it necessary, therefore, to oppose these furthur proceedings.
§ SIR JOHN HIBBERTwas surprised that the hon. Member should object to the report of this Resolution. It would be more reasonable to wait and to object to the Bill when it should be printed. It was sought by this Resolution to carry out a promise made in 1892 by the late Government in respect of the guarantee of these railways. He submitted that the hon. Member would do well to allow the report of the Resolution to pass so that the Bill might be introduced and circulated.
§ DR. CLARK (Caithness)hoped that his hon. Friend would permit the House 712 to proceed with the Bill. He would certainly assist his hon. Friend by the use of all the forms of the House to prevent this company from getting any more power than they possessed, because they had already abused what power they had in every possible way. He thought, however, it was not the wisest course to take to prevent the House from knowing what it was proposed to do.
§ DR. MACGREGORMay I join in the appeal of my hon. Friend——
§ Several hon. MEMBERS: I object.
§ Debate adjourned.