LONDON GOVERNMENT SCHEME (SOUTHWARK BOROUGH MARKET) BILL. (Hansard, 17 April 1907)

*THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (The Earl of CREWE)

My Lords, this Bill is one which arises out of the London Government Act of 1899, and relates to the Borough Market of Southwark, which was originally founded under an old Act passed in the year 1764 in the reign of George III. By that Act the wardens of the parish of St. Saviour, the overseers of that parish, and eleven elected inhabitant ratepayers were constituted trustees for the purpose of this market. To make a long story short, owing to various changes in local government, for instance the fact that overseers are no longer appointed and that their powers are vested in the borough council, and also owing to some doubts which have arisen as to the possibility of electing the eleven inhabitant ratepayers since the Act of 1899, it has been found necessary to form a new scheme for this purpose. The effect of this Bill is that the trustees are in future to be appointed by the borough council on the nomination of the councillors of the ward, which is co-extensive with the parish of St. Saviour. At first there was some opposition to this Bill both from the London County Council and from the borough council of Southwark, but I am glad to say that the objections have been entirely withdrawn and that the Bill passed through another place without opposition. If your Lordships will give it a Second Reading it will then go, in accordance with the new, and, as I think, very valuable Standing Order, to the Committee on Unopposed Bills, where it will receive due consideration. I hope in 923 these circumstances your Lordships will give the Bill a Second Reading.