§ Order for Third Reading read.
§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)said he did not wish to object to it, but he thought the House was entitled to some information in regard to Railway Bills passed in the Lords, and with the details of which the House was not acquainted. This Bill contained some very large orders in regard to the acquisition of property. He was of opinion that Bills of this nature ought not to be passed as a matter of course without any explanation on the part of the promoters. They were entitled to some information in regard to matters which were really of public interest and affected the community at large, especially when the acquisition of houses of the working classes was concerned. His attention had been drawn to the Bill by a Member who took particular interest in the housing of the working classes. He had blocked the Bill on the previous day, but on examination he found that there were clauses which safeguarded the working classes, otherwise he should persist in objecting and dividing the House.
§ MR. LODER (Brighton)said the hon. Member was entitled to ask for any explanation, and he was prepared to give any information. But, inasmuch as the Bill had been through all its stages in the House of Lords and in that House unopposed, he naturally concluded that there was no opposition to be offered. It was only an ordinary various powers Bill that railway companies were in the 150 habit of applying for session after session. There was nothing extraordinary or unusual in it, and he thought the hon. Member was in error in supposing that it contained any provision in the matter of artisans' dwellings. This was a small and a purely technical Bill, which did not deal with very large questions and raised no capital.
§ The Bill was read a third time.