RAILWAY AND CANAL TRAFFIC ACT (1888) AMENDMENT BILL. (Hansard, 21 June 1892)

*LORD BALFOUR

This, my Lords, is a Bill of a single clause, and its object is this: Under Section 24 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, the Board of Trade were directed to present Provisional Orders for the regulation of rates and charges upon railways and canals; but under one sub-section of that section it is provided that a recess should, in case of disagreement, intervene between the Report presented by the Board of Trade and the legislation consequent upon that Report. As the proceedings in connection with this Act have now gone on so long, it is generally agreed, both by those interested in canals and those who have objections to their Schedules, that it is not necessary that this delay should take place. In consequence of the termination of the Session of Parliament this year at an earlier date than usual, the inquiry which is being held into canals at the present time, at the instance of the Board of Trade, cannot be completed in time to enable the Board of Trade to present a Report during this Session. The sole object of the Bill is to enable the Board of Trade to legislate, with the consent, of course, of Parliament, in the same Session in which they present a Report. I am able to assure your Lordships that that is desired by both parties to the inquiry; the Bill passed through the other House without Amendment; and I ask your Lordships to give it a Second Reading.