SIR JOHN DICKSON-POYNDEB (Wiltshire, Chippenham)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state if he has considered the advisability of making some special arrangement as to the Committee stage of the several Underground Tubular Railway Bills introduced this session, so as to ensure these Bills being considered as part of a comprehensive scheme of Metropolitan locomotion; also whether, with that object in view, he proposes to grant the London County Council a locus standi before these Committees.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds, Central)Yes, Sir, I have carefully considered this subject and conferred with the authorities of both Houses. I must remind my hon. friend that the Bills have been introduced in the House of Lords. I understand that it is proposed to send the Bills, if read a second time, to one or more Private Bill Committees, and to give the London County Council and the Corporation of the City; if they desire it, a special locus.