HC Deb 27 June 1940 vol 362 cc566-7

Resolution of the House of the 27th day of July, 1937, relative to the Regents Canal and Dock Company (Grand Junction Canal Purchase) Act, 1928, read, as followeth: That it shall not be incumbent on the Grand Union Canal Company to promote a Bill to consolidate the Acts relating to the several parts of their undertaking before the Session of 1944, provided that not later than the Session of 1941 they promote an amending Bill with a view to facilitating the task of consolidation.

Resolved, That the said Resolution be amended by the substitution therein of "the Session of 1946" for "the Session of 1944" and of "the Session of 1944" for "the Session of 1941."—[The Chairman of Ways and Means.]

Mr. Mander

Can we have some explanation why these alterations have been made?

The Chairman of Ways and Means

I shall be very happy to give an explanation. I will be as brief and as clear as I possibly can.

Mr. Shinwell

On a point of Order. Is it not possible to adopt some other form of dealing with these matters, such as at 7.30 p.m., instead of cutting into Question Time?

Mr. Speaker

This is the time set aside for Private Business. It is very necessary that this should be dealt with. In any case, I would point out that it must come to an end at three o'clock.

The Chairman of Ways and Means

I shall detain the House for only a few minutes. The fact is that the Regents Canal and Dock Company gave an undertaking in 1928 that within five years they would promote a Bill consolidating the Acts relating to several parts of their undertaking. In 1932 the House found it necessary to agree to extend that period of five years to a period of 10 years. Therefore, in 1937 the House passed a Resolution to the effect that notwithstanding that undertaking, as subsequently varied on 12th July, 1932, to the effect that the promoters of the Bill would within 10 years promote a Bill to consolidate the Act, it should not be incumbent on the company to promote such a Bill before the Session of 1944, provided that, not later than the Session of 1941, they should promote an amending Bill with a view to facilitating the task of consolidation. Under the present conditions of emergency, it has been found quite impossible to pass that preliminary Bill, and, therefore, I think it is only reasonable, and, indeed, it is essential, that the further time should be given, which is proposed in this Resolution.