POST OFFICE SITES BILL. (Hansard, 27 July 1900)

§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (The Marquess of LONDONDERRY)

My Lords, this Bill is, in principle, the same as those which have been submitted for the past twenty years, and which have always passed through your Lordships' House without opposition. Under this Bill, which has been considered in the House of Commons both by the Select Committee and by Committee of the 1479 whole House, the Post Office obtain powers to clear sites in London, Bristol, Ilford, Sheffield, and Southampton. The Postmaster General is empowered to erect buildings on the lands taken, but all persons interested will be entitled to compensation under the Lands Clauses Act. I may say, to remove some apprehension which has been felt, that there will be no alteration made in Post Office Court, between Lombard Street and King William Street. Certain provisions have been inserted for the protection of sewers and streets in London, and Mr. Hanbury stated in the House of Commons that these provisions would be extended so as to apply to all the local authorities in the districts where sites; will be acquired. Up to now it invariably has been the custom that not more than ten houses shall be taken compulsorily. In Bristol there is a larger number of houses intended to be taken, but Mr. Hanbury has undertaken to provide for the rehousing of any of the labouring classes who may be dispossessed.