HC Deb 27 April 1896 vol 39 cc1707-9

The following notices stood upon the Paper in reference to this Bill:—

Mr. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

That it be an Instruction to the Committee to insert provisions in the Bill compelling the Company to run third class carriages on the mail trains between Euston and Holyhead at the usual rate per mile as those given by other Railway Companies."—(By Order.)

Mr. P. J. POWER (Waterford, E.)

That it be an Instruction to the Committee to insert provisions in the Bill compelling the Company to carry holders of first and second class tickets on the Irish mail between Holyhead and all stations on the Company's line without payment of the extra fares now charged to holders of first and second class tickets who may travel by the Irish mail."—(By Order.)

MR. J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)

— That it be an Instruction to the Committee to insert provisions in the Bill compelling the Company to put at least one third class carriage on the mail trains between Euston and Holyhead at the same rate per mile as given by other Railway Companies."—(By Order.)

*MR. SPEAKER

Since these Instructions were put down I have had time fully to consider them, and I have come to the conclusion that these three proposed Instructions on the Paper are not in order, for reasons which I will shortly state. It is competent under the general law for a railway company to run express trains with or without second or third class carriages, and it is competent also by the general law for them to charge more for travelling by express trains than by other trains, subject, possibly, to revision by the Railway Commission; and under these circumstances I think it is out of order to move such Instructions in the case of a Bill of a particular company which does not in itself specially refer to any power to run third-class carriages or make extra charges for express trains. It is out of order, because it would really be inviting—nay, requiring—the Committee on a private Bill to alter the general law in the case of a particular company. ["Hear, hear!"]

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

gave notice that he would on every occasion he could oppose Bills of the London and North Western Railway Company until they saw their way to treat the Irish travelling public fairly.

MR. P. J. POWER

asked whether it would be in order on the Motion to raise the question of preferential rates which prevail on this Company's system?

*MR. SPEAKER

No, I think not. Preferential rates are matters to be dealt with by the Railway Commissioners, who are the proper tribunal.

MR. D. LLOYD-GEORGE (Carnarvon Boroughs)

had given notice of the following Motion:— That in be an Instruction to the Committee to whom the Bill is referred to take the evidence of farmers and traders upon the tolls, rates, and charges which Clause 6 of the Bill proposes to authorise the London and North Western Railway Company to demand and take for the conveyance of passengers, parcels, and merchandise over the Chester and Holyhead Railway. That all petitions against the Bill presented Three clear days before the meeting of the Committee be referred to the Committee; that the Petitioners praying to be heard by themselves, their Counsel, or Agents, be heard against the Bill. That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records.

*MR. SPEAKER

With regard to the Instruction of the hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs, I do not say it is out of order, but it would be out of order for the hon. Member to move it. The established practice of the House is that an hon. Member cannot move more than one Instruction on a Bill, and, no other hon. Member having given notice of this Instruction, and it being incompetent for the hon. Member to move it, the Instruction can only be moved by another hon. Member giving notice of it.