§ THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS (Mr. EMMOTT,) Oldhammoved a series of Amendments to Standing Orders. He explained that the alteration of Standing Order 5 was intended to place electric generating stations under the same regulations as Gas-works; with regard to Standing Order 36a, that had, he said, been practically in force a considerable time, Standing Order 38, while in respect of No. 98 the change had become desirable in view of 817 the fact that the meetings of the Committee of Selection and the Standing Orders Committee clashed sometimes, and the Chairman of the former Committee found himself in consequence of the increasing work of this Committee unable to attend. The other Amendments were mainly consequential, but he would be happy to give any explanation that might be asked for. He begged to move.
SIR A. ACLAND HOOD (Somerset-shire, Wellington)asked if the Amendments were to be puten bloc or separately, there were one or two on which the House ought to have some information?
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid the practice of his predecessor was, if no objection were taken, to put themen bloc, but if any objection were raised to any particular Amendment, then he put only those down to that Amendment. He proposed to follow that course to-day.
§ SIR A. ACLAND-HOODsaid he would like to hear more about 29b and 98.
§ MR. MORTON (Sutherland)asked if these Amendments had appeared on the Paper before, and if they had been considered by a Committee or otherwise, and were all right.
§ MR. EMMOTTThey have been considered in the ordinary way, and I certainly can say they are all right. They have been on the Paper two or three days. If it is desired to leave over any till tomorrow, I am quite willing. 29b I may say, merely means that the rural district council will have the plans deposited with them. That is pressed for by the Department of Agriculture. With regard to 98, the Chairman of the Committee of Selection finds it almost impossible to attend the meetings of the Standing Orders Committee.
§ SIR A. ACLAND-HOODsaid he was satisfied with regard to 29b, but as regards 98 he would prefer it should stand over till the next day.
§ MR. EMMOTTCertainly.
Standing Order 5 was read, and amended, in line 4, by leaving out the 818 word "or," and by inserting after the word "Disease," the words "or station for generating electrical energy."
In line 8, by leaving out the first word "or," and by inserting after the word "Hospital," the words "or generating station," and by leaving out from the word "constructed," to the end of the Standing Order.
Standing Order 15 was read, and amended, in line 5, by leaving out the words "on specified lands."
Standing Order 29 was read, and amended, in paragraph (b), line 1, by inserting, after the word "Borough," the words "or any Rural District."
In paragraph (d), line 3, by leaving out the words "and with the clerk of the district council."
Standing Order 33 was read, and amended, in paragraph (1), line 2, by leaving out the words "at the Local Government Board," and by inserting, after paragraph (1), the following new paragraph—
"(2) Of every Private Bill relating to England and Wales, at the Office of the Secretary of State for the Home Department and at the Local Government Board," and by leaving out paragraph (7).
In paragraph (10), line 1, by leaving out from the word "Bill," to the end of the Paragraph, and inserting the words "relating to England and Wales which in any manner affects education or educational endowments, or alters the boundary of any county, borough, or urban district, or affects the incidence of any local rate out of which any educational expenditure is payable, at the Office of the Board of Education."
Ordered, That on or before the thirty-first day of December copies of the estimates of expenditure for any permanent works proposed to be executed by any municipal corporation, district council, joint board or joint committee, or other local authority in England or Wales shall be deposited at the Private Bill Office, and at the Office of the Board of 819 Trade or of the Local Government Board, as the case may require.
The estimates shall be in the following form, or as near thereto as circumstances may permit:—
Estimates for Permanent Works. £ s. d. Purchase of land and casements Buildings (specifying generally their nature) Reservoirs, filter beds, &c. Tunnels, embankments, dams, etc. Trunk mains and main sewers Other mains, pipes, sewers, and sewage disposal works Other works grouped with regard to the probable life of the works If any moneys are required to be borrowed to meet any excess of expenditure previously authorised by Parliament, the Board of Trade, or the Local Government Board, there shall be deposited with the said estimates a statement of the purposes and reasons for the borrowing.
Together with the said estimates there shall be deposited a statement showing the following particulars with respect to the district of the local authority, that is to say: (a) area of the district; (b) population according to the last census; (c) rateable and assessable value according to the last valuation list; (d) rates made in the district during the last preceding financial year; (e) the sum of the balances of outstanding loans contracted by the local authority; and (f) the amount of the outstanding loans to which the limitation of section two hundred and thirty-four of The Public Health Act, 1875, applies.
Resolved, That this Order be a Standing Order of this House.
Standing Order 38 was read, and amended, in page 66, lines 33 and 34, by leaving out the words "as regards London, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and."
In line 35, by leaving out the word, "(outside London)."
Standing Order 84 was read, and amended, in line 4, by leaving out from the word "deposited," to the end of the Order, and inserting the words "at every 820 office at which it was deposited under Standing Orders 33 and 34, or would be required to be deposited under those Orders if it had been originally introduced as amended in Committee."
Standing Order 172 was read, and amended, at the end, by adding the words—
Copies of the estimates and statements deposited in accordance with Standing Order 36a shall be laid before the Committee for the purposes of this Order.
Standing Order 187 was read, and amended, in line 4, by leaving out the word 'or."
In line 5, by inserting after the word "disease," the words "or station for generating electrical energy."
In line 7, by leaving out the first word "or," and inserting, after the word "Hospital," the words "or generating station."
In line 8, by leaving out from the word "constructed," to the end of the standing Order.—(The Chairman of Ways and Means.)