HC Deb 27 July 1905 vol 150 cc577-81

On the order for the consideration of the Lords Amendments to the Bootle Corporation Bill being read,

MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)

objected to the order being proceeded with.

MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)

In the interest of many workmen who are dependent for their work on these Bills getting through during the present session, may I respectfully appeal to hon. Gentlemen from Ireland to with- draw their objection and allow these Bills to proceed?

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

Within the last few days I have received representations from many quarters of the country with regard to the action of my hon. friends in blocking the passage of these Bills. Amongst others, I have received communications from representatives of labour, both in and out of this House, to the effect that if some of these enterprises are stopped now vast sums of money that would be spent in the coming winter in the employment of workmen will be hung up, and that thousands of working men will be kept out of employment during the winter. Whatever cause of quarrel and resentment we have with political Parties in this House, and with the Government at the moment, we have none with the working men of the country. In the course they have taken my hon. friends never intended to inflict any injury on workmen. In these circumstances I appeal to my hon. friends to withdraw their opposition to these Bills. I am all the more pleased to do so in response to the appeal of the hon. Member for Woolwich.

MR. MACVEAGH

said that after that appeal he would not think of pressing his objections. He wished it to be understood he was responding to the wish of the leader of his Party and certainly would not have allowed himself to be influenced by the vulgar denunciation heaped upon him and his colleagues by the daily Press. They had been told that much public money had been spent in the promotion of the Bills which would be wantonly wrecked if the objections were persisted in, while much employment might be withheld from the working classes in the coming winter, but all those objections applied with equal force to the Tramways Bill promoted by the London County Council, and rejected by the House of Lords without the slightest consideration for the loss and inconvenience inflicted on the public. The action of his colleagues and himself had been denounced as a public scandal, but there was a much gieater scandal, and that was a Government holding on to office years after the country had got sick of it and in spite of an adverse vote of that House.

Lords Amendments considered, and agreed to.

Great Northern, Piccadilly, and Brompton Railway (No. 1) Bill; London Gas Bill; Rhondda Urban District Council Bill; Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Staffordshire Electric Power Bill. Lords Amendments considered, and agreed to.

Blackpool Improvement Bill [Lords]. As amended, considered; Amendments made; Bill to be read the third time.

North Metropolitan Electric Power Supply Bill [Lords]. As amended, considered; to be read the third time.

Nottingham Corporation Bill [Lords]. As amended, considered; Amendments made; Bill to be read the third time.

Baker Street and Waterloo Railway Bill (by Order); Charing Cross, Euston, and Hampstead Railway Bill (by Order); Edgware and Hampstead Railway Bill (by Order); London and North Western Railway Bill (by Order); Metropolitan Electric Tramways Bill (by Order); Dublin United Tramways Bill (by Order); Midland Railway Bill (by Order); Skegness Water Bill (by Order); Woolwich Borough Council Bill (by Order). Lords Amendments considered, and agreed to.

Formby Township Bill [Lords] (by Order). Read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.

Workington Harbour and Dock Bill [Lords] (by Order) (King's consent signified). Read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.

Llandrindod Wells Urban District Council Bill [Lords] (by Order); Matlock Bath Improvement Bill [Lords] (by Order). Read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.

Metropolitan Electric Supply Company (Acton District) Bill [Lords] (by Order). Read the third time, and passed, with an Amendment.

Sheffield University Bill [Lords] (by Order). Third Reading deferred till to-morrow.

South Lancashire Tramways Bill [Lords] (by Order). Reid the third time, and passed, with Amendments.

Littlehampton Urban District Council Bill [Lords] (by Order). As amended, considered; Amendments made; Bill to be read the third time.

Shepton Mallet Gas Company (Electric Lighting) Bill [Lords](by Order); Bristol Blind Asylum Bill [Lords] (by Order); Corbett Estate Bill [Lords] (by Order).

As amended, considered; to be read the third time.