§ This Act shall only be in force during the continuance of the War and six months after.— [Major Newman.]
§ Clause brought up, and read the first time.
§ Major NEWMANI put this, new Clause down on reading remarks made by the 805 Postmaster-General, and in order to ascertain from him whether this was really a war measure. I take it from what he has said to-night that that is not so. The concessions the right hon. Gentleman has given make my opposition a great deal less than it was before, and therefore I do not propose to move the Second Reading of this Clause.
The following new Clause stood on the Paper in the name of Major NEWMAN:
"Provided always that in the exercise of any powers given to the Postmaster-General by this Act he shall do as little damage as may be, and shall make full compensation to all bodies and persons interested for all damage sustained by them by reason or in consequence of the exercise of such powers, the amount and application of such compensation to be determined in manner provided by the Land Clauses Consolidation Act of 1845, and any Act amending that Act, and further provided that the costs of any proceedings under such Act and its amending Acts shall be borne by the Postmaster-General in any event."
§ Major NEWMANI desire to move this Clause, to which I attach some importance.
§ The CHAIRMANPerhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will consider whether this new Clause, if inserted in the Bill, would not contradict all the other Clauses of the Bill.
§ Major NEWMANI am in your hands.
§ The CHAIRMANI am inclined to think that it would. We have already discussed and decided the method of compensation. We cannot have two separate methods. I think the Clause falls on that ground.