HC Deb 22 July 1913 vol 55 cc1967-8

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

9.0 P.M.

Mr. JOHN WARD

There is one subject I should like to mention, and to which, especially, I should like to draw the attention of the Chairman of Ways and Means. It is the question whether this Bill complies with Standing Order 183. This is a Bill promoted by the Metropolitan Water Board for extensive constructions in certain districts of Kent and Surrey. We have a Standing Order which directs that the Committee, when considering these Bills, do take into consideration the question whether proper provision is made for the housing and hospital accommodation for men employed on the works. It is only proper, as this may be an unopposed Bill and as under no circumstances would representatives of the workmen be allowed to attend before the Committee, that I should try and get a promise from the Chairman of Committees on this subject. There is the duty thrown upon promoters of legislation of this kind to provide housing accommodation satisfactory to the medical officer of the locality for the men employed on such large works and hospital accommodation for possible emergencies, and I should like to ask the Chairman whether he will take it upon himself, whether this is an unopposed or a contested Bill, to draw attention to the requirements of the Standing Order, so that the subject may be properly considered.

The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS

The hon. Member for Stoke has made this subject his own, and he has been so successful that he has got it embodied in a Standing Order of the House. He need, therefore, have no fear that any Committee which has to deal with this Bill will not give the matter due consideration. As far as I am concerned as Chairman of the Unopposed Bill Committee, it is always a matter to which we devote the most painstaking attention, and I am sure that the hon. Member has by his efforts in many respects improved the condition of the navvies who carry out our great waterworks, and he need not watch individual Bills, because, as I say, it has been put into our Standing Orders, and it is the duty of every Chairman of Committees to see that he carries out the spirit of those Standing Orders in making his inquiries into the Bill.

Question, "That the Bill be now read a second time," put, and agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed.