HC Deb 23 July 1912 vol 41 cc949-52
The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS (Mr. Whitley)

moved certain Amendments to the Standing Orders relating to private business.

In Standing Order 26b.—(Deposit in case of Bill affecting banks, etc., of river in Scotland or Ireland.) To leave out the words, "in Scotland or Ireland."

Mr. WHITLEY

Perhaps I may be allowed to state the effect of this and certain subsequent proposed alterations. There are only two points involved. The first one relating to Standing Order 26b is to assimilate the rule in England and Wales to that at present existing in Scotland and Ireland, namely, that where any Bill proposes any work on the banks of a river the plans shall be submitted to the Conservators of that river, if there are any. The other proposed Amendments are all part of the one proposal, the object of which is to facilitate the consideration of private Bills in the early part of the Session in order that Members may not be called upon for their services so much in the months of June and July. It is done in this way: by assimilating the procedure on company Bills to that on other Bills and putting all the Bills on one level, namely, that what are called the Wharncliffe Standing Orders will have to be complied with before the Bill comes before the Committee, instead of as now, before it comes before the House on Second Reading.

Question put, and agreed to.

Further Amendments made: Sub-section (2), leave out the word "or" ["or if the river is in Ireland"].

Sub-section (3), leave out the word "and" ["and if there be a Board"].

Standing Order 62.—(Meeting of Proprietors in case of certain Bills originating in this House). Leave out the words, "within five weeks of the date on which the petition for the same was indorsed by the Examiner."

Standing Order 63.—(Meeting of subscribers of companies, etc., in case of certain Bills originating in this House.) Leave out the words, "within five weeks of the date on which the petition for the same was indorsed by the Examiner."

Standing Order 67.—(Provision as to Railway Bills charging payments on local rate in Ireland.) Leave out the words, "within five weeks of the date on which the petition for the same was indorsed by the Examiner."

Standing Order 197.—(Bill deemed to be read a first time.) Leave out the words, "or referred to the Examiners, as the case may be."

Standing Order 204.—(Time between First and Second Reading.) Leave out the words, "unless any such Private Bill has been referred … as the case may be."

Standing Order 208.—(Private Bills to stand referred to Committee of Selection, General Committee on Railway and Canal Bills and Divorce.) At end thereof to add the words, "Provided that a Bill which is referred to the Examiners after Second Reading shall not be committed until the Examiners have reported that any Standing Orders not previously inquired into are not applicable thereto, or that any such Standing Orders as may be applicable have been complied with, or the Standing Orders not having been complied with, the Select Committee on Standing Orders have resolved that such Standing Orders should be dispensed with, and the House has agreed with the Select Committee in such Resolution."

Standing Order 211.—(Time between Second Reading and Committee.) Leave out the words, "Second Reading" ["Second Reading of every Private Bill"], and insert instead thereof the word "Committal."

Leave out the words "Second Reading" ["between the Second Reading and the Committee"], and insert instead thereof the word "Committal."

Mr. WHITLEY

I beg to move, "That Standing Orders 220 (Lords Amendments to be printed prior to consideration, etc.), and 246 (Notice of consideration of Lords Amendments) be suspended until the Adjournment of the House for the Autumn Recess:

"That, as regards Private Bills returned by the House of Lords with Amendments, such Amendments shall be considered on the day on which the House shall next sit:

"That, when it is intended to propose any Amendments thereto, notice of such Amendments shall be given at the Private Bill Office on the day on which the Bill shall have been returned from the Lords."

This Motion is usual at this period of the Session to enable unopposed private Bills to have rather more rapid progress, and obtain the Royal Assent before the Recess.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

May I just ask the right hon. Gentleman as to the word "shall" in the Amendment? Does it make it obligatory to consider the Amendment on the day on which the House shall next sit, or does it only empower the House to do so: it looks obligatory?

Mr. WHITLEY

If it is set down and no objection is taken it will go forward: if any hon. Member takes objection, the consideration will be deferred.

Question put, and agreed to.

Ordered, That the Standing Orders, as amended, be printed.—[The Chairman of Ways and Means.]

Lanark County Tramways Bill,

Resolved, "That, in the case of the Lanark County Tramways Bill [Lords], Standing Orders 82, 211, and 237 be suspended, and that the Committee on the Bill have leave to sit and proceed upon Thursday."—[Mr. Whitley.]

Llanelly Rural District Water Bill [Lords],

Read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.

London Trust Company Bill [Lords],

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

Midland Railway (London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway Purchase) Bill [Lords],

As amended, to be considered Tomorrow.

West Riding of Yorkshire Asylums Bill [Lords] (by Order),

Consideration, as amended, deferred till Thursday.

Water Orders Confirmation Bill [Lords],

Second Reading deferred till Tomorrow.

Bordon and District Gas Bill [Lords],

Reported, with Amendments; Report to lie upon the Table.

Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 3) Bill,

Report [17th July] to be printed.

Kent and Bela Fisheries Provisional Order Bill,

Reported, with Amendments [Provisional Order confirmed]; Report to lie upon the Table.

Bill, as amended, to be considered To-morrow.

Nottingham Mechanics Institution Bill [Lords],

Ericht Water and Electric Power Bill [Lords],

Reported, with Amendments; Reports to lie upon the Table, and to be printed.