HC Deb 16 November 1911 vol 31 cc655-6

Considered in Committee.

Motion made and Question proposed, "That Clause 1 stand part of the Bill."

Sir HENRY DALZIEL

There seems to be an amount of charity about to-night. I think some one who is in charge of this Bill ought to give us some information with regard to it. Who is in charge of this Bill?

Mr. CHARLES ALLEN

I am.

Sir H. DALZIEL

I am glad it is in the hands of so capable an hon. Member. I am really suspicious when I see the hon. Baronet the Member for the City of London (Sir F. Banbury) and my hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract (Mr. Booth) here and Bills going through so rapidly. It seems to me that there has been something like a talk behind the Speaker's Chair. I would ask the hon. Gentleman to give us some idea of the Bill, and whether any arrangement has been made.

Mr. C. ALLEN

I would willingly give an opinion with regard to all these Bills, but I had hoped that the House would prefer to get the Bills through.

Sir F. BANBURY

The hon. Gentleman says he is going to give information as to the other Bills on the Motion that Clause 1 stand part of the Bill.

Mr. C. ALLEN

I said I would willingly give information with regard to all the other Bills, but I thought the House would prefer to pass the Bills rather than to be bored by a speech. In 1882 a scheme was made which gave £80 per year to keep a bridge and causeway in order. That belonged to the Corporation, which is anxious to give the £80 for scholarships in the Grammar School. The County Council concur, and the county education authority concur, and there has been no obstacle.

Sir H. DALZIEL

After the most convincing speech of my hon. Friend I do not object.

Mr. MORTON

I have been anxious to get a little information too, and I do not see that we have got much. The Bill unfortunately passed the Second Reading without any discussion, and now we are told that money which was left for a road and bridge is to be taken for some other purpose. I am sure that is wrong, and it shows that a Bill like this ought not to be smuggled through the House after the promise and the understanding that no Bills were to be taken except those in charge of the Government.

And it being Eleven of the clock, the Chairman left the Chair to make his report to the House.

Committee report Progress; to sit again to-morrow (Friday).

Whereupon, Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of 24th October, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."