HC Deb 04 March 1942 vol 378 cc619-20

Order read for resuming Adjourned Debate on Question [18th December]: That the Grand Union Canal Company be relieved from the obligation to promote not later than the Session of 1946 a Bill to consolidate the Acts relating to the several parts of their undertaking and the obligation to promote not later than the Session of 1944 an Amending Bill with a view to facilitating the task of consolidation, being obligations to which the Company are subject by virtue of a promise given in the proceedings before the Committee to which the Regent's Canal and Dock Company (Grand Junction Canal Purchase) Bill was referred in the year 1928, as varied by Resolutions passed by this House on the 12th day of July, 1932, the 27th day of July, 1937, and the 27th day of June, 1940." —[The Chairman of Ways and Means.]

Question again proposed.

The Chairman of Ways and Means (Sir Dennis Herbert)

Hon. Members will remember that this was a Motion to relieve the Grand Union Canal Company from two Parliamentary obligations, one to amend their Acts and the other to consolidate. Objection was raised to their being relieved entirely from that, though I think it was the sense of the House generally that they should not be called upon to carry out these obligations until after the war. I have been in communication with the Company and also with the Ministry of War Transport, with the result that I have been able to arrange provisionally in principle for a Motion to be put down in a different form, under which the company will be liable to perform these obligations after due notice given after the war. That, I hope, will satisfy all the hon. Members who were interested in the matter. I would beg to ask leave to withdraw this Motion and I will then put down a new one, I hope within a few days.

Mr. Thorne

I think it is about time this question was got rid of. It has been before the House for a good long time, and I am pleased to know that the Chairman of Ways and Means is to put down a Motion to get rid of it one way or the other.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.