HC Deb 09 March 1905 vol 142 cc900-2

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

[Mr. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe) in the Chair.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That, in lieu of the Stamp Duties which would have been payable upon the deeds or assurances which, in case the Bill had not been passed into an Act, would have been required to pass to and vest in the Society certain property, there be charged a Stamp Duty of five pounds, and such Duty shall be impressed upon the copy of the intended Act to be delivered to the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies under the section of this Act the marginal note whereof is 'Copy of Act to be registered.' "—(Mr. Caldwell.)

Clause 1.

MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)

asked for some explanation of the Bill.

MR. CALDWELL (Lanarkshire, Mid.)

said all the matters contained in the Bill had been carefully considered by the Private Bill authorities in conjunction with the parties concerned, and there was no opposition.

MR. WHITLEY

But what is the effect of the Bill. It proposes something and we ought to have some explanation.

MR. CALDWELL

said it dealt with the stamp duties. The matter had been carefully considered. The Bill was one for which the consent of the Crown was necessary, and it was forthcoming.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

said the Bill, he understood, dealt with a revenue question and imposed an extra stamp duty. If that were so it could only, under the forms of the House, be proposed by a Minister of the Crown, and not by a private Member, even one so distinguished as the hon. Member for Mid.-Lanark.

MR. CALDWELL

said it was on the last occasion proposed by a Privy Councillor on behalf of the Crown.

MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)

thought the circumstances very peculiar and pressed for some explanation.

MR. WHITLEY

agreed that a Minister of the Crown ought to be present to answer Questions, and he therefore moved to report Progress.

Motion made, and Question, "That the Chairman do report Progress; and ask leave to sit again,"—(Mr. Whitley,)—put, and agreed to.

Committee report Progress; to sit again to-morrow.