HC Deb 11 July 1904 vol 137 cc1222-3
MR. JOHN ELLIS: (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, for the convenience of the large interests involved, he will now say definitely when the Port of London Bill will be taken, or whether it may be considered abandoned, and, in that case, when its discharge from the Order-book will be moved.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not think the prospects of this Bill are at all favourable. I understand that a great deal of opposition has been aroused on the subject, and it would be quite impossible, in the face of any serious opposition, to carry the Bill in the present state of public business. But I cannot make any further declaration on the subject at present.

* MR. PEEL

May I ask whether, in view of the paramount necessity for setting up some authority to control the Port of London, and in view of the great interests in favour of such a measure, the right hon. Gentleman will undertake, as far as he can, of course subject to other matters, to introduce substantially the same measure early next year.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I confess that I view the position of this Bill with great regret, a Bill which I cannot help thinking is important not only from a Metropolitan, but even from a national point of view. But if, as is the case, the j representatives of the Metropolis do not take that view, it is not easy to deal with the Bill. Moreover, the Bill is not an ordinary public Bill, but a hybrid Bill, I which requires notices to be given involving great expense and difficulties above the ordinary.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)

Will the right hon. Gentleman specify more particularly from what quarter the opposition to this Bill has come, and can the Motion for the discharge of the Bill be put down in such a way as to give the House an opportunity of discussing the reasons why the Bill has been withdrawn?

MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the opposition to the Bill comes from Metropolitan Members.

MR. A. J. BALROUR

Yes, Sir, I do. I think the request of the hon. Member for Poplar goes beyond ordinary precedent. If hon. Gentlemen desire to discuss Government Bills both when they are introduced and when they are discharged, the difficulties of carrying on public business will be greatly increased.