The MARQUESS of CLANRICARDEsaid, he wished to put a question to the noble Earl the President of the Board of Trade. Although he was aware that without notice he could not expect a very specific answer, the question was one which he took the earliest opportunity of putting, because it related to a subject of considerable importance, namely, the progress of Railway Bills. Their Lordships were aware, by the Votes of the House of Commons, that the Government had moved the appointment of a Special Committee of that House for the purpose of considering the course to be adopted with regard to Railway Bills, which were expected to be brought before Parliament in great numbers. That, he thought, was a very bad mode of pro- 235 ceeding, and almost unworthy of the Government, because, in point of fact, it was merely shifting the responsibility from the Government to the House of Commons; for the Government ought to have been prepared with some recommendation on the subject when Parliament met, seeing that these undertakings had engaged the attention of the country throughout a great part of the past year. The appointment of a Committee of the Board of Trade last Session, with its limited functions, was a very unwise step. That committee had not sufficient power. If the Government was to interfere at all, which in his opinion Government ought to do, it should interfere efficiently. The noble Earl at the head of that department undoubtedly displayed great industry; but the labours of the committee over which he presided were of very little real consequence to the country, notwithstanding that the noble Earl brought to them all the diligence and talent it was possible for any person to expect. In point of fact he (the Marquess of Clanricarde) did not believe that any of the railway schemes which were thrown out, were thrown out in consequence of the reports of that committee: and the appointment of this Committee of the House of Commons would be likely rather to increase than check the desire of speculation. There would be speculation upon the chances of the success or failure of every particular railway; first as to the way the recommendation would be, and then as to the final result; and for this reason he thought the proposition a bad one. He further thought it was bad, because it would occasion delay without any real good. There was no doubt the recommendations of Government to that committee would be adopted by the committee; and if they should be so adopted, and the committee went into the whole subject, most injurious delay would be occasioned. It was with reference to this delay that he wished to put a question; but, in the first place, it would be observed, that in the course proposed their Lordships were entirely set aside. No committee had been moved for in their Lordships' House. Now, though he was aware of the technical objection, that such measures must originate in the House of Commons, he thought it was advisable their Lordships should have a voice in the course to be adopted with reference to the decision of this very important question. Under any circumstances the appointment must give rise to more or less delay. As well as he was 236 able to gather the views of the Government, which he did not wish to be prematurely disclosed, it appeared that a certain class of railways were to be taken—some to be put forward, and others set aside for the present, or at least delayed. Now he wanted to know if any particular distinction had been made with regard to Irish railways; because although he did not agree with what had last night fallen from the noble and gallant Duke, that the evil was not so much the want of provisions as the want of employment to enable people to purchase provisions, he did think it was a main consideration, and the Government deserved credit for the steps which he personally knew they had taken in order that employment should, if possible, be found. He knew they had taken steps for this purpose, in consequence of communications he had received from the Irish Government in reference to his own county; and he thought, as the Government were desirous of providing employment, there could be no better way, both with regard to economy of the public money and advantage to the country, than by aiding, during the coming spring and summer, the completion of such works as Parliament might sanction. It was evident that if Parliament sanctioned a line of railway, the Government might, with propriety, say to the undertakers, "We will advance you money, for a certain time, free of interest, provided you begin the works immediately." But then it was of great importance that these lines should be determined upon by Parliament; and although, knowing the Irish Government were taking active measures to provide, as far as possible, employment for the people, he felt compelled to say they must be very cautious in their steps. They must be very cautious whose recommendations they adopted, and not be over hasty to adopt those which were thrown out. A hint of this nature, he knew, would be sufficient. It was of the greatest importance, then, that the railways which were to be made in Ireland should be sanctioned with as little delay as possible by the Legislature, in order to enable the Government to take the steps to which he adverted; and he should, therefore, be very glad if the noble Earl opposite could explain whether, in consequence of the appointment of the Committee, he apprehended any delay to the introduction or passing of Railway Bills for Ireland.
The EARL of DALHOUSIEbegged to assure the noble Marquess, in reply to his 237 question, that he believed the appointment of the committee moved for in the other House of Parliament, would not interpose any delay whatever in the introduction or passing of Irish railway bills. In the first place, the appointment of the committee did not immediately interpose any delay in the ordinary course of proceeding; the ordinary committees of the other House would be appointed, and it would be open to the promoters of railways in Ireland, as to those in England and Scotland, to give their notices, and to bring their measures before the Standing Orders' Committee, as under ordinary circumstances. How far the Irish railways might be affected by the appointment of the committee, depended upon the conclusions to which that committee might come, and upon the arrangements made by the other House. He differed from the noble Marquess when he said that the appointment of this committee would, under any circumstances, cause delay in the construction of railways; but he would abstain from entering upon the discussion at present, because he intended to give notice that on Thursday next he should bring the whole question before the House.
§ House adjourned to Thursday.