§ 89. Sir ARCHIBALD WILLIAMSONasked whether the directors of the Lossiemouth Harbour Company commenced about November, 1911, the promotion of a Provisional Order with a view to necessary extensions of harbour accommodation; whether the Order was unopposed; whether he is aware that the delay is prejudicial to the local interests involved; what has been the cause of the delay at the Board of Trade; and whether he will take steps to hasten the passage of the Bill embodying the Order?
Mr. BUXTONThe usual notices in connection with the application for this Provisional Order were given in November, 1911. An objection was received, but was afterwards withdrawn. As explained to my hon. Friend in reply to his question on 29th April, there were exceptional difficulties in this case due to the necessity of considering the scheme in its relation to schemes for other fishery harbours in the Moray Firth. Since that date it was found necessary practically to redraft the Order, and it was then embodied in a confirming Bill introduced in the House of Lords on 12th June and passed by that House on 25th July. It is being pressed forward in this House, and will, I understand, go before a Committee next week. I very much regret that it has not been possible to obtain confirmation of this and other harbour Orders at an earlier date.
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that twelve months is an extraordinarily long time for a public Department to detain an unopposed Bill?
Mr. BUXTONI think it is excessive, but in this particular case there were particular reasons why the delay took place.