HL Deb 14 February 1899 vol 66 cc811-2
THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (the EARL of MORLEY)

My Lords, I beg to move the following as a new Standing Order— The council of any administrative county alleging in their petition that such administrative county or any part thereof may be injuriously affected by the provisions of any Bill relating to the water supply of any town or district, whether situate within or without such county, shall be entitled to be heard against such Bill. At the present moment, under the Standing Orders of this House, a County Council has power to be heard only at the discretion of the Committee. The addition which I am now moving to the Standing Orders gives them an absolute right to be heard. This is an Amend- ment that has been suggested by the County Councils Association, and by several County Councils who have written to me on the subject. It brings your Lordships' Standing Orders in exact accord with those of the House of Commons, and I therefore trust your Lordships will agree to it.

THE MARQUESS OF RIPON

My Lords, I beg to thank my noble Friend the Chairman of Committees, for having moved this Motion, which will give very great satisfaction to County Councils. They have felt that the difference between the Standing Orders of this House and those of the House of Commons in this respect was somewhat unfair to them. County Councils have a deep interest in all that concerns the water supply of their districts, and I am very glad indeed that your Lordships are about to recognise that that interest gives them a right to a locus standi before Committees of this House.

Question put.

Motion agreed to.