HC Deb 02 August 1922 vol 157 cc1419-21

In cases of Bills included in the second class, and of Bills of the first class, in respect to which plans are required to be deposited, such notices shall also contain a description of all the termini, together with the names of the boroughs, urban and rural districts, and in the case of rural districts the parishes from, in, through, or into which the work is intended to be made, maintained, extended or enlarged, or in which any land or houses intended to be taken are situate, and whore any common or commonable land is intended to be taken, or used compulsorily, such notice shall contain the name of such common or commonable land (if any), and the name of any parish in which such land is situate, together with an estimate of the quantity of such common or commonable land proposed to be taken or used compulsorily, and shall state the time and place of deposit of the plans, sections, books of reference and copies of the "Gazette" notice respectively, with the clerks of the peace and also with the officers respectively mentioned in Standing Order 29, as the case may ho. The provisions of this Order relating to boroughs shall apply in the case of London to metropolitan boroughs and the City of London.

The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS (Mr. James Hope)

I beg to move, to leave out the word "notices" ["such notices shall also contain"], and to insert instead thereof the word" notice.'

One word of explanation is necessary of the series of Amendments to the Standing Orders which appear under my name on the Order Paper. The object is purely the saving of expense. At the present time the promoters of private Bills are required to publish an immense variety of notices of the exact details of the proposed works. The Lord Chairman of the other House and his advisers, and I in this House and my advisers, have come to the conclusion that this is absolutely unnecessary at the present time—an absolutely unnecessary expenditure—and I trust the House will see their way to agree to these Amendments.

Mr. HOLMES

What is it anticipated will be saved each year?

Mr. HOPE

It is quite impossible to say, as it depends entirely on the magnitude and complexity of the Bills. In the case of an omnibus Railway Bill, for instance, the saving would be very considerable.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

May we take it that there is no saving of public money, but only of the private money of the promoters of these Bills?

Mr. HOPE

That is so.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: Leave out the words and shall state the time and place of deposit of the plans, sections, books of reference and copies of the Gazette Notice respectively, with the clerks of the peace and also with the officers respectively mentioned in Standing Order 29, as the ease may be, and insert instead thereof the words and shall state (a) that on or before the 30th day of November, plans, sections, and books of reference will be deposited with the clerks of the peace, and also with the officers respectively mentioned in Standing Order 29, as the case may be; and (b) that on and after the 21st day of December a copy of the Bill may be inspected and copies obtained at a reasonable price at the office or offices mentioned in the notice."—[The Chairman of Ways and Means.]