§ LORD PLAYFAIR,in moving the Second Reading of this Bill, said that it had been passed by the House of Commons. It was not a Government measure, but the Post Office Department approved the Amendment which it proposed. An Act was passed in 1891 which gave sanitary authorities power to arrange with the Post Office for increased postal and telegraph facilities. When such arrangements were made the Post Office took a guarantee that no loss should accrue to the Department by reason of the increased facilities, and the rural sanitary authority had power to make good any loss that accrued. The object of this Bill was merely to extend that power to the Parish Council, and to the parish meeting where there was no Parish Council.
§ Bill read 2a.