HC Deb 21 June 1897 vol 50 cc477-8

Read a Second time.

On the Motion "That the Bill be committed to a Select Committee of five Members, three to be nominated by the House, and two by the Committee of Selection,"

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

objected to the Bill being referred to any other Committee than that of the whole House. It traversed and partly repealed an important part of the existing law with regard to the acquisition of land by the Post Office. The existing law provided that, after notice given, the Treasury should hold an inquiry, and if satisfied might introduce a Bill. But under this Bill, although notices had been issued and objections made, no inquiry need be held. Moreover, Clause 9 of the Bill proposed in set terms that the Post Office should be exempted from the Metropolitan Building Act. The Bill also proposed to deal with the "Postman's Park," and to deal with it in a manner involving financial considerations and assumptions which he believed to be entirely wrong.

MR. EDWARD BOND (Nottingham, E.)

said he wished to support the views of the hon. Member for King's Lynn, especially as to the Postman's Park. By that part of the Bill the interests of the City Parochial Trustees, of whom he was one, were gravely affected.

*MR. SPEAKER

said the hon. Member's remarks hardly bore on the Question before the House. If the Bill were referred to a Select Committee it would afterwards come before a Committee of the whole House in the ordinary way, when the hon. Member would have an opportunity for his remarks.

MR. HANBURY

said he intended in Committee to withdraw Clause 9, to which his hon. Friend the Member for king's Lynn had referred. It was introduced rather by accident than design. The pillion of the Bill relating to the Postman's Park undoubtedly dealt with certain legal questions between the Post Office and the City Parochial Trustees, and he had arranged that it should be withdrawn on the distinct understanding that the trustees should not build on the vacant site until there had been an opportunity to consider the matter during the Recess.

Motion agreed to.

Ordered, That all petitions against the Bill presented live clear days before the meeting of the Committee, be referred to the Committee; that the petitioners praying to be beard by themselves, their counsel, or agents, be heard against the Bill, and counsel beard in support of the Bill.

Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records.

Ordered, That three be the quorum.— (Mr. Hanbury.)