HL Deb 23 July 1846 vol 87 cc1380-1
LORD STANLEY

wished to call the attention of his noble Friend the President of the Board of Trade to a petition on this Railway Bill, as well as a number of other Railway Bills which were now being proceeded with. The progress of this Bill had been impeded by a number of circumstances over which the projectors of it had no control; so that the second reading of it was only put down for Monday last, the 20th of July. Now one order prevented an opposed Bill from having a Committee named on it on the same day as its second reading; and another order directed that no Bill should be committed after the 20th of July. The progress of this Bill had already involved the company in a charge of 60,000l. He did not wish for an immediate answer to his question; but he wished to ask his noble Friend whether the Government would provide some remedy to meet a case of hardship of this kind? It would be but an act of justice to put an end to the uncertainty which existed on this subject.

LORD BROUGHAM

said, that it appeared in this case that the delay was not attributable to the conduct of the parties. Under the peculiar circumstances of this Bill, they should make some allowance, as every disposition had been manifested by the parties to get the second reading of this Bill before the last day named for that purpose. The whole of the 60,000l., which would otherwise be thrown away, might be saved by coming to some resolution on the subject.

The EARL of CLARENDON

said, that he had received a deputation of the parties promoting this railway, but he had not held out to them any prospect of their obtaining what they asked for. It was for the House to consider whether, under the peculiar circumstances of this case, an exception might not be made. He would state in the course of to-morrow the course which the Government would recommend to pursue.

LORD REDESDALE

denied that any peculiar hardship existed in this case, for notice was given in May last that no Committee on a Railway Bill should be appointed after the 20th of July. This might appear a case of hardship, but there were many cases of greater hardship. He trusted that the House would adhere to its Orders, for if they opened the doors on these occasions it would lead to endless confusion, for all parties would imagine that they could break through a neglect of the Orders, as they could always get excused.

LORD BEAUMONT

considered that it would be inconvenient then to go into the discussion, as the House had fixed it for to-morrow.

LORD STANLEY

would suggest that a return should be prepared, and laid on the Table, of the state of the Railway Bills before the House on Monday last.

Petition laid on the Table.

House adjourned.