§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—[The Chairman of Ways and Means.]
§ The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS (Mr. Whitley)I desire to say on this Bill, and with reference to the other eleven Bills on the Notice Paper, that I have been in consultation with the Lord Chairman in the other House. All the Bills deal with practically the same subject, namely, the question of increasing the charges in various docks and harbours. It would seem to us desirable that all the Bills should be referred to one Committee, and that the Committee should be a joint Committee of the two Houses, in order to save expense to the promoters and to the opponents, and in order that a certain amount of uniformity in the matter may be arrived at. For that reason I have put upon the Paper a Motion that it is expedient that these Bills should be referred to a Joint Committee, and desiring the concurrence of the Lords in that resolu- 1096 tion. I hope, under these circumstances, the House will be prepared to assent to that procedure.
I notice on the Paper an Instruction in the name of the hon. Member for the Eccles Division (Mr. Marshall Stevens) regarding all the Bills. I should not be able to assent to an Instruction from one House to a Joint Committee of both Houses. If the hon. Member will be good enough to supply me with the scheme which he has in mind—which I understand tends towards the uniformity that we desire—I will give him a promise that I will submit it to the Chairman of the Joint Committee whoever he may be, and in that way I think the suggestion that he desires to put forward would obtain really better consideration than under the method he proposed by his Motion. I hope the House will assent to the Second Readings on that understanding.
Question put, and agreed to.
Bill accordingly read a second time, and committed.
Bristol Corporation Bill (by Order),
Read a second time, and referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills.
Dublin Port and Docks Bill (by Order),
Read a second time, and committed.
Manchester Ship Canal Bill (by Order),
Read a second time, and referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills.
Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Bill (by Order),
Read a second time, and committed.
Milford Docks Bill (by Order),
Read a second time, and referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills.
Newport Harbour Commissioners Bill, Swansea Harbour Bill, Tees Conservancy Bill, Tyne Improvement Bill, Waterford Harbour Bill, Wear Navigation and Sunderland Dock Bill (all by Order),
Read a second time, and committed.
Glasgow and South Western Railway (Ayr Harbour Transfer) Order Confirmation Bill,
Read a second time, and ordered to be considered To-morrow.
Resolved, "That it is expedient that the Blyth Harbour Bill, Bristol Corporation Bill, Dublin Port and Docks Bill, Manchester Ship Canal Bill, Mersey Docks and 1097 Harbour Bill, Newport Harbour Commissioners Bill, Swansea Harbour Bill, Tees Conservancy Bill, Tyne Improvement Bill, Waterford Harbour Bill, and Wear Navigation and Sunderland Dock Bill be committed to a Joint Committee of Lords and Commons."
Message to the Lords to communicate this Resolution and to desire their concurrence.—[The Chairman of Ways and Means.]