HC Deb 29 July 1958 vol 592 cc1115-6
The Chairman of Ways and Means (Sir Charles MacAndrew)

I beg to move, That if the Committee on any Private Bill, or Group of such Bills, have reported or shall report their opinion to the House that the consideration of any Bill or Bills already partly considered should not be proceeded with in the present Session, all further proceedings upon such Bills shall be suspended during the present Session. With the permission of the House I should like to move this and the succeeding Motion together.

Hon. Members will have seen the two special Reports from the Committee on this group of four Water Bills. The Committee have reported that they have been unable after twenty-six days to complete their consideration of these competing Bills, and the first Motion is to suspend further proceedings on the Bills to the next Session.

The second Motion enables the promoters of the four Water Bills to resume proceedings in the next Session of Parliament at the point which they have reached today. The delays in the consideration of these Bills have not arisen due to any fault of the promoters, and the House may, therefore, feel that exceptions should be made from the general rule that the business of the House, whether public or private, should be contained within the framework of the Session. The promoters will thereby be saved further delay and expense.

I commend the Motions to the House.

Mr. Shinwell

Is this not an unusual proceeding? Under which Standing Order does the Chairman of Ways and Means move this Motion?

The Chairman of Ways and Means

It is quite a usual proceeding when Bills are held up and cannot be passed in the Session in which they are introduced. By this means they are carried over. It is exceptional to some extent, but it is quite customary to do it. I hope the House will pass these Motions, because that will save a lot of time and money for the promoters. It is no fault of theirs that delays have arisen.

Question put and agreed to.

Ordered, That if the Committee on any Private Bill, or Group of such Bills, have reported or shall report their opinion to the House that the consideration of any Bill or Bills already partly considered should not be proceeded with in the present Session, all further proceedings upon such Bills shall be suspended during the present Session.