51. Mr. PERCYasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware of the strong feeling of dissatisfaction on the part of many public administrative bodies throughout the country at the excessive cost which is at present necessarily entailed in the promotion of Private Bills by councils or industrial corporations for purely local schemes; and whether he will set up a Committee to inquire and report with a view to ensure both greater economy and efficiency as to the practicability, such as by appointing local tribunals from county councils or otherwise, of simplifying the present procedure of inquiry by Parliamentary Committees in London?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe suggestion contained in the question would involve a complete revolution in the present system of Private Bill legislation; and no evidence has reached me of any demand for so drastic a change as would justify me in taking the course proposed by my hon. Friend.