§ Considered, as amended.
§ MR. CAREW (Dublin, College Green)I rise to a point of order, Sir. These clauses, which are to be proposed by the right honourable Gentleman the President of the Local Government Board, are important Amendments of the general law which is applicable to water companies.
§ * MR. SPEAKERI do not see any irregularity; perhaps the honourable Member will tell me what his point is.
§ MR. CAREWThese are Amendments of the general public law, and they override what has been done upstairs; and I should like to know, Sir, whether it is right to move Amendments at this stage of a private Bill which ought to be the subject of a public Bill? These clauses are an Amendment of the general law applicable to water undertakings. I do not think there is any question as to that.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, SleafordOn the point of order, Sir, I think I shall be able to show that these proposals will not override the decision of the Committee upstairs, and I think I can also show that the course which is being adopted is taken after consultation with the Chairman of Committees in both Houses of Parliament.
§ * MR. SPEAKERI will hear the explanation by the right honourable Gentleman in introducing the clauses. At present I am not in a position to say that they are out of order.