§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ Mr. GILBERTI object.
§ The DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS (Sir Donald Maclean)I do not know if my hon. Friend who has objected to this Bill notices the Motion which is down in the name of the Chairman of Ways and Means on page 206 of the 1549 Order Paper. It is a matter of agreement that the Bill should go forward with all these disputed gas Clauses cut out. I do not know whether in those circumstances the hon. Gentleman will withdraw his objection and allow the Bill to proceed.
§ Mr. GILBERTI understood that all these London Gas Bills were to be considered together. I understood that from what was said regarding two other Bills which affect London—the Commercial Gas Bill and the Gas Light and Coke Company Bill—which were postponed till 16th July. We Member who are connected with London certainly thought that all the London Bills would be taken together and not split up.
§ Sir D. MACLEANThe promoters of this Bill have agreed that these disputed Clauses should be struck out. They have one or two other domestic matters in the Bill, and I hope that on that understanding the hon. Gentleman will allow the Bill to proceed.
§ Mr. GILBERTI am very sorry I must object to this Bill.
§ Second Reading deferred till Tuesday, 16th July.
§ South Shields Gas Bill (by Order),
§ Second Reading deferred till Tuesday, 16th July.
§ Swansea Gas Bill (by Order),
§ York Gas Bill (by Order),
§ Basingstoke Gas Bill (by Order),
§ Rhymney and Aber Valleys Gas and Water Bill (by Order),
§ Second Reading deferred till Tuesday, 23rd July.
§ Alliance and Dublin Gas Bill (by Order),
§ Second Reading deferred till Tuesday, 16th July.
§ Electric Lighting Provisional Orders Bill,
§ Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Order (No. 2) Bill,
§ Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders Bill,
§ Read the third time, and passed.
§ Glasgow Corporation Order Confirmation Bill [Lords] (by Order),
§ Glasgow and South-Western Railway Order Confirmation Bill (by Order).
§ Read a second time; to be considered To-morrow.