§ Order for Second Reading read.
LORD MONKSWELLThis is a Bill to amend the law with regard to the powers now given to rural district councils, parish councils, and parish meetings, to guarantee the Post Office against loss if they set up additional postal facilities within the boundaries of those districts or parishes. The present state of the law is that no guarantee can be given by a rural district council or parish meeting in respect of any postal facilities set up outside that district or parish. The Bill proposes to give the power to parish and rural district councils by agreement to guarantee the Post Office against loss in respect of postal facilities set up outside the boundaries of these districts. It is perfectly clear that additional postal facilities are of advantage to those districts in which they may be set up, and they are also an advantage to the surrounding districts. What the Bill proposes is that these surrounding districts may agree together and give jointly, if they like, a guarantee against loss to the Post Office. I move the Second Reading of this Bill, which has the approval of the Post Office authorities.
§ Bill read the second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.