HC Deb 26 July 1911 vol 28 cc1645-7
The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS (Mr. Emmott)

I beg to move, in Standing Order 62 (Consent of Proprietors or Members of Companies, and of Persons named as Directors), in line 22 ["by a circular addressed to each proprietor at his last known or usual address"], after the word "proprietor," to add the words, "on the register of the company."

The Amendments of the Standing Orders that I desire to move are practically formal. The first relates to what are known as Wharncliffe meetings. For these meetings notices have to be served on the proprietors. But in these days when we have share and stock warrants to bearer it is not possible to send notice to the whole of the holders, because they are not on the register, and cannot be on the register. Therefore we want this alteration.

Amendment agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS

I beg to move, in Standing Order 64, in line 39 ["by a circular addressed to each proprietor at his last known or usual address"], after the word ''proprietor," to add the words, "on the register of the company."

Amendment agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS

I beg to move, in Standing Order 134 (Locus Standi of Municipal Authorities and Inhabitants of Towns, etc.), in line 5 ["of any town".], to insert the words, "or district."

This Amendment has been suggested by the Court of Referees. The present Standing Order allows the Referees to give a discretionary locus to the municipal authorities of a town, and it is considered that that discretionary locus should be extended to the local authorities of districts.

Amendment agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS

I beg to move, in Standing Order 155 (Level Crossings), in line 4 [" public carriage road on the level"], after the word "level," to insert the words, "and no tramway shall be authorised to be made across any railway on the level."

Under the Standing Order now existing no railway is allowed to cross a road or a tramway on the level, without a report from the Board of Trade being taken into consideration by the Committee. We want a similar provision to apply to any proposal for a tramway to cross a railway on the level.

Amendment agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS

I beg to move, in Standing Order 175A (Charitable or Educational Institutions), at the end, to add the words, "but this Standing Order shall not apply to a Bill for confirming a Provisional Order."

This is asked for by the Board of Education. The Standing Order at present says that any Bill dealing with charitable or educational endowments shall not be passed till after a report has been received from the Attorney-General. In the case of Provisional Orders the Government have to inquire on the spot or otherwise, and they have already the assistance of the law officers when necessary. Clearly I think a report from the law officers in such a case as the latter is not necessary.

Amendment agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS

I beg to move, after Standing Order 128, other than Petitions required for Dispensation), to insert a new Standing Order:— 224a. When the time allowed for (a) presenting Petitions under Standing Order 128, other than Petitions required to be presented on or before the 12th day of February, or (b) for depositing Memorials under Standing Order 230 in respect of Petitions for Bills deposited in the Private Bill Office after the 17th day of December, or (c) for the Second Reading of any Bill under Standing Order 204 expires during any adjournment of the House, the time shall be extended to the first day on which the House sits after the adjournment, but this Standing Order shall not apply to an adjournment from Friday to the following Monday. This new Standing Order is to do away with the necessity of moving a Motion at any exceptional adjournment, and to permit the carrying over of private Bills and Petitions. A Motion of this kind goes through as a matter of course. It can only be opposed out of mischief, and if opposed we either should have to find an evening sitting to deal with the matter or untold trouble and loss might arise to promoters and petitioners.

Resolved, That this Order be a Standing Order of the House.

The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS

No. 3 on the Order Paper (Trolley Vehicles) I do not propose to move to-day. I shall move these Amendments on Tuesday.