TELEPHONE TRANSFER AMENDMENT BILL.

HL Deb 15 December 1911 vol 10 c1162

LORD HERSCHELL

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill, which is endorsed with the Certificate of the Speaker as a Money Bill, be read a first time.

On Question, Bill read 1^a.

Then (Standing Order No. XXXIX having been suspended),

LORD HERSCHELL moved that the Bill be read a second time. The noble Lord said: This is merely a Bill of a drafting nature. Under the Telephone Transfer Act, which was passed on the 18th of August last, the Treasury were authorised to provide purchase money in accordance with the purchase agreement and the award of the Railway and Canal Commission. This Bill only contains an amendment to authorise a payment on account of a sum not exceeding £3,000,000 to the company. This is in connection with the handing over of the plant, and it is most necessary that it should be passed.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2^a—(Lord Herschell.)

On Question, Bill read 2^a.

Committee negatived: Bill read 3^a, and passed.