§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
§ LORD HENNIKERsaid, he would not trouble their Lordships with more than a few words, in moving that the Standing Order of the 4th of March last be dispensed with, for all the circumstances connected with various discussions on these measures were known to many of their Lordships. The reason for asking that the Standing Order be dispensed with was that the whole question of tramways had been referred to a Select Committee of the House early this Session, in accordance with an arrangement made last year. The Committee had reported some time ago; but the Bill had, in consequence of the inquiry, been introduced into the House of Commons at a later period than usual, and had only reached that House a week ago. It was, therefore, necessary for him to bring forward the Motion now before their Lordships—and he believed there was no objection to the course he proposed to pursue.
Moved, That the Order of the 4th of March last which limits the time for the Second Reading of Provisional Order Confirmation Bills be dispensed with with respect to the said Bill, and that the Bill be now read a second time.— (The Lord Henniker. )
§ THE MARQUESS OF RIPON,having referred to the recommendations of the Select Committee which had sat upon this subject, said, that Clause 3 of the present Bill was not in accordance with its recommendations. He suggested that, if those recommendations were not to be adopted completely, a licence ought, at least, to be granted for the experimental use of steam upon tramways, if the local authorities of the district or districts in which more than half the length of such tramways was situated did not object; whereas, in the present Bill, the consent of the local authorities along at least three-fourths of the line was required.
§ LORD HENNIKERsaid, he could endorse what had been said by the noble Marquess opposite, who had presided over the Committee to which he had referred—as he (Lord Henniker) had been a Member of the Committee himself. The proposal in Clause 3—that where a tramway was proposed to pass through two or more districts of a local or road authority, the Board of Trade must be satisfied that two-thirds of the length of such tramway was situated in a district or districts consenting, before they granted a licence, or renewal of a licence, to use steam or mechanical power —was not in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee. The point which had been raised by the noble Marquess was a very important one, and he would undertake that it should be carefully considered before the Bill was in Committee of the Whole House; and, if it was thought right and necessary, ho would move an Amendment in Committee.
Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed: The Committee to be proposed by the Committee of Selection.