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On the Motion of Lord REDESDALE, Standing Order No. 189, Section 14, considered (according to Order), and amended, as follows:—
14. In every Railway Bill in which new Works are authorized, the Committee shall make Provision for ensuring the Completion of the Line of Railway by impounding the Deposit, or by providing that after the Expiration of a Period to be limited by such Bill, not exceeding Five Years from the passing of the Act in the Case of a new Line, and Three Years in case of the Extension of Time for completing any Line, the Company shall be liable to a Penalty to be fixed in the Bill, which shall not be less than Twenty Pounds and shall not exceed Fifty Pounds per Day, to be recoverable as a Debt due to the Crown, for every Day after the Period so limited, until such Line shall be completed and open for public Traffic; but no Penalty shall accrue in respect of any Time during which it shall appear, by a Certificate to be obtained from the Board of Trade, that the Company was prevented from completing or opening such Line by unforeseen Accident or Circumstances beyond their Control, but the want of sufficient Funds shall not be held to be a Circumstance beyond their Control.