HL Deb 08 September 1887 vol 320 cc1634-5

(The Lord Harris.)

(NO. 255.) COMMITTEE.

House in Committee (according to order).

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Lord HARRIS)

said, the object of the Bill was to enable the Secretary of State to acquire, in a more simple form than he now could, such land as was necessary for military tramways for the defence of the country. The existing powers of the Secretary of State were defined by the Defence Act of 1842; but in effect it had been found an exceptionally cumbrous Act to work. There were at present several instances — at Stromal Common in Yorkshire, and Chatham in the South of England— where the War Department wished, and where it was actually necessary for the defence of the country, that tramways should be made for military purposes; but it so happened that though running for their greater length over War Department lands there were small plots intervening, and rights of way crossing the proposed line. The Act now introduced would render it a more simple process for the Secretary of State to acquire these plots, and to run round, or cross the highways; while at the same time the public would be protected in the first instance by a Petition to the Board of Trade against the Provisional Order, and ultimately, if no agreement could be come to between the parties, to Parliament before the Provisional Order could be confirmed.

Bill reportedwithout Amendment, and to be read 3a To-morrow.