HC Deb 14 March 1928 vol 214 cc1996-8

Resolution of the House of the 6th day of March relative to the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway (Road Transport) Bill, the Great Western Railway (Road Transport) Bill, the London and North Eastern Railway (Road Transport) Bill, the Metropolitan Railway (Road Transport) Bill, and the Southern Railway (Road Transport) Bill, which was ordered to be communicated to the Lords, and the Message from the Lords of the 8th day of March signifying their concurrence in the said Resolution, read.

Motion made and Question proposed, That the Order [5th March] that the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway (Road Transport) Bill, the Great Western Railway (Road Transport) Bill, the London and North Eastern Railway (Road Transport) Bill, the Metropolitan Railway (Road Transport) Bill, and the Southern Railway (Road Transport) Bill be committed, be read and discharged, and the said Bills be committed to a Select Committee of Six Members, to be nominated by the Committee of Selection, to be joined with a Committee of Six Lords: That all Petitions in favour of or against the Bills, respectively, presented on or before the 30th day of March, 1928, be referred to the Committee; that the Petitioners praying to be heard against the Bills by themselves, their Counsel, Agents, or witnesses, be heard and Counsel be heard in support of the Bills: That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records: That Four be the quorum."—[The Chairman of Ways and Means.]

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

I beg to move, in line 6, to leave out the word "Six" and to insert instead thereof the word "Five."

Since the original Resolution was passed by this House saying that it was expedient that these Bills should be committed to a Joint Committee of Lords and Commons, various representations as to numbers of the Committee have been made to myself and to the Chairman of the Committee of Selection, and, after hearing these representations and after conferring with the Lord Chairman in the House of Lords, it appeared to me that the best Committee would be a Committee of ten Members, five, of course, to be chosen from this House and five from the House of Peers. I understand that on full consideration that meets with general acceptance.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In line 7, leave out the word "Six" and insert instead thereof the word "Five."

The CHAIRMAN of WAYS and MEANS

I beg to move, in line 13, to leave out the word "Four" and to insert instead thereof the word "Three."

This is consequential on the reduction in the number of members of the Committee. It is only natural that the quorum should be reduced.

Amendment agreed to.

Main Question, as amended, proposed.

Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONE

I want to raise a point of Order. I want to know whether I shall be in order on this Motion, as it is the time that this question concerning the Railway Companies will come before this House, in drawing the attention of the Minister of Transport to certain matters. Since the matter came before the House, I have been informed that representations have been made by persons in my constituency, including the Northampton Chamber of Commerce, concerning certain matters that had been placed before the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company. No substantial satisfaction has been received as a result of those representations, and I want to ask whether I shall be in order in referring to these matters?

Mr. SPEAKER

No, not on this Motion. It is clearly consequential on the previous proceedings of the House. The hon. Member's constituents will have time before the 30th March to lodge a petition and will be able to be heard upstairs in Committee.

Main Question, as amended, agreed to.

Ordered, That the Order [5th March] that the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway (Road Transport) Bill, the Great Western Railway (Road Transport) Bill, the London and North Eastern Railway (Road Transport) Bill, the Metropolitan Railway (Road Transport) Bill, and the Southern Railway (Road Transport) Bill be committed, be read and discharged, and the said Bills be committed to a Select Committee of Five Members, to be nominated by the Committee of Selection, to be joined with a Committee of Five Lords.

Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

Ordered, That all Petitions in favour of or against the Bills, respectively, presented on or before the 30th day of March, 1928, be referred to the Committee; that the Petitioners praying to he heard against the Bills by themselves, their Counsel, Agents, or witnesses, be heard and Counsel be heard in support of the Bills.

Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records.

Ordered, That Three be the quorum."—(By Order).—[The Chairman of Ways and Means.]