HL Deb 01 July 1859 vol 154 c510

On the Motion that this Bill be now read a third time.

LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY

expressed a hope that in future Her Majesty's Government would not enter into contract with any company except subject to the conditions that the contract should be laid before Parliament, and should not be binding until Parliament had approved it, and that such contract should be embodied in a Bill, which Bill should, so far at least as it affected the public interests, be treated as a public Bill.

EARL GRANVILLE

said, the subject alluded to by his noble Friend was under the consideration of the Government.

THE EARL OF DERBY

said, he was glad to hear the statement of the noble Earl; but he hoped that the Government would not by any statement tie themselves down to a position that they would not under any circumstances give their countenance to schemes for the public benefit, or interfere without the sanction of Parliament, because in his opinion such a course would be both impracticable and injudicious.

Bill read 3a with the Amendment, and passed.