HC Deb 01 March 1900 vol 79 cc1407-8

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS () Kent, St. Augustine's

I desire to state to the House the attitude of the Government with reference to this measure. We recognise that it aims at a great improvement, but at the same time there are some important Amendments which we must insist on having introduced into the Bill. One of the Amendments is that the whole space between the proposed new road and the river should be laid out in continuation of the Victoria Tower Gardens. There is really no difference in principle between the Government and the County Council as regards the nature of the Amendments. The County Council and the Government would be sorry to see the improvement scheme checked, and I do not propose to object to the Second Reading, but I reserve to myself the right to ask the House to reject the Bill on the Third Reading unless the Amendments are inserted.

MR. STUART () Shoreditch, Hoxton

understood the spirit in which the right hon. Gentleman had dealt with the matter. It had only come before the County Council within the last few days, otherwise they would have been prepared with a definite statement. He thanked the right hon. Gentleman for the friendly attitude he had taken up on the Bill, and recognised that he had the power of dealing with the Bill in future stages.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed.