HC Deb 24 April 1902 vol 106 cc1193-4
MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate if he can state whether the Commissioners recently appointed under the Private Bill Procedure (Scotland) Act to inquire into the Aberdeen Tramways Bill held any meeting to decide upon the place where their inquiry was to be held; if so, whether they decided to hold the inquiry in Edinburgh; and, if so, what were the reasons which induced them to hold it there rather than in Aberdeen, where the parties and the witnesses reside.

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. A. GRAHAM MURRAY,) Buteshire

The Provisional Order referred to is one of a group remitted for inquiry, comprising schemes from the North, East and South-West of Scotland; and Edinburgh was selected as the most central and convenient place for the consideration of the whole group, with the concurrence of the Chairman of the Commissioners, and, I believe, with the approval of the great majority of the parties interested. The Secretary for Scotland is not aware that any meeting was held by the Commissioners to decide upon the place of inquiry.

MR. BRYCE

Would it not be possible to arrange for the Commissioners to sit in different places to conduct these inquiries?

MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAY

It is perfectly possible. It is only a matter of arrangement.

MR. BRYCE

Is it the case that the Commission did not hold a meeting in this case to decide upon the place of inquiry?

MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAY

The Chairman of the Commission was consulted.

DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)

Have the Commission made any inquiry in Aberdeen into local conditions in connection with these proposed tramways?

MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAY

I cannot say. I believe in any case this Order could only have been taken today.