MOTION FOR A COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 15 March 1888)

§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of SALISBURY)

, in rising to move— That a Committee he appointed, to consist of Six Lords, to join with the Committee of the House of Commons, as mentioned in the said Message, to examine into the present system of Private Bill legislation, and to report how far and in what manner, without prejudice to public interests, that system may he modified with a view to the interests of suitors, the economy of the time of Parliament, and the reduction of costs and charges, said, he had heard of a case of a Bill promoted by a Local Board in which there was no opposition, and yet the expense incurred in Private Bill legislation amounted to no less than £1,400. He could not help thinking that the Houses of the Legislature should take some steps to remedy that state of things. There was, he believed, a very strong feeling North of the Tweed that witnesses were often brought up an unnecessary distance and at an unnecessary expense. How far it would be possible to modify the present system and to settle matters of that kind upon the spot he did not know, but, at all events, it was a grievance which it was worth while to consider. Moved, "That a Committee he appointed, to consist of Six Lords, to join with a Committee of the House of Commons as mentioned in the said Message, to examine into the present system of Private Bill legislation, and to report how far and in what manner, without prejudice to public interests, that system may be modified with a view to the interests of suitors, the economy of the time of Parliament, and the reduction of costs and charges."—(The Marquess of Salisbury.)

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

said, that those on his side of the House very heartily concurred in the Motion of the noble Marquess. He thought that on this point they might safely take a stop in the direction of Home Rule. He certainly thought it would be far better if local assemblies were left to manage some of the affairs which were now brought to the attention of Parliament, so as to avoid the great expense which 1265 was now incurred. He thought such a course would have a very widespread effect. The subject had been over and over again brought before Parliament, though no satisfactory result had been produced. His own feeling was that the present system was far too complicated and tedious and involved very large expenditure indeed. He thought some better and quicker system might very easily be devised, without any injury to Parliament and with advantage to all concerned.