LONDON UNDERGROUND RAILWAYS. (Hansard, 7 March 1901)

*THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS (Mr. J. W. LOWTHER,), Cumberland, Penrith
in moving that the House do agree with the Lords in this resolution, said that no less than fourteen Bills had been presented to Parliament that 787 session dealing with tube railways. He had consulted with the Chairman of Committees of the House of Lords and the President of the Board of Trade, and they had come to the conclusion that to refer all these Hills to a Joint Committee would be the best course to pursue. It was obvious that before any of these Bills could proceed there were certain questions which must be determined, such as the shape of the tube, the method by which the power was to be applied, the precautions, if any, which might be taken against vibration, the damages which were to be paid to lessees and occupiers who might suffer from the working of these tubes or from any annoyance, and, perhaps the most important question of all what were to be the lines of communication of these tubes. Those were matters which must occupy the attention of Parliament for a considerable time. It was proposed that power should be given to the Joint Committee to say what Bills were not to be proceeded with that session, and the probability was that none of the Bills would be proceeded with that session. But if the Joint Committee, as be hoped it would, arrived at conclusions on these broad principles this session, it would enable those who proposed to bring forward such Bills to proceed on clear lines next session.

§ MR. JOHN BURNS (Battersea)
asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would get the authority of both Houses to consider the relationships of these tubes in connection with parks and open spaces, and also with the preservation of ancient buildings.

*MR. J. W. LOWTHER
said that probably those subjects would come under the terms of reference, but be would call the attention of the Chairman of Committees of the other House to the matter.