HL Deb 12 June 1891 vol 354 cc245-6

Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.

Moved "That the Bill be now read 2a."

LORD DEMAN

, in moving "That the Bill be read a second time this day ten months," said: My Lords, I attended at the meeting yesterday, supposing that the matter was before a Select Committee, and being ready to give evidence as to my own knowledge. As I conceive, this railway is a most extensive undertaking, and one which is entirely unnecessary, and most destructive of private property in the neighbourhood in which I reside. One scheme is for carrying a railway down one of those beautiful vales in Derbyshire, which does not require a railway, and which would be utterly spoiled by the passage of a railway through it, and it is proposed to make a station in the very village in which I reside, pulling down houses for the purpose, and doing that for which no compensation can be paid which could satisfy any reasonable person. The other scheme is for a very high railway to go through a large part of the best land in Derbyshire, and going on past Chatsworth in order to join the Great Eastern Railway. It is, indeed, a most gigantic scheme, and I believe that all the advantages offered by it would be far more than gained by the branch line which has long been projected to Caldwell, and which could be very easily carried out. But, whatever happens, I wish to do my very best to oppose this Railway; and I believe the Select Committee would be doing a great service, and that everybody would be very much advantaged by an end being put to it. It is so extremely unreasonable. I am told that if one does not oppose a Bill on Second Reading one is pledged to the principle of it. On that ground I tender my opposition to this Bill, aid I hope it will be thoroughly understood that it is opposed. I am afraid we shall have to bring up a host of witnesses from Derbyshire to explain these matters to your Lordships, for I have no credit with your Lordships, and I cannot expect you to do so unusual a thing as throwing out a Bill on Second Reading. I beg to move the Motion which stands in my name.

Amendment moved, to leave out ("now,") and insert at the end of the Motion ("this day ten months.")—(The Lord Denman.)

THE EARL OF MORLEY

My Lords, It is hardly necessary for me to reply at length to the remarks which have fallen from the noble Lord. I do not think any of the considerations he has laid before your Lordships to induce your Lordships not to read the Bill a second time, will have much weight with the House. They are clearly matters which should be dealt with, in this, as they are dealt with in all other cases of Railway Bills, by the Select Committee. I hope, therefore, your Lordships will, in the usual course, give this Bill a Second Reading, leaving its merits to be inquired into by the Committee.

On question whether ("now") shall stand part of the motion, resolved in the affirmative.

Bill read 2a accordingly; and committed. The Committee to be proposed by the Committee of Selection.