§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD SOMERLEYTONMy Lords, the object of this Order which was promoted last year is to authorise the Poole Harbour Commissioners to construct a training bank in order to deepen the entrance to the harbour by increasing the scour. This training bank will commence on the south west side of the entrance to Poole harbour at South Haven Point and extend seawards in a south-easterly direction for a distance of 10,800 feet. It is proposed in Clause 14 of the Order to authorise the Commissioners to borrow £100,000 for the purchase of lands and for the construction of the training bank, the estimated cost of which is £94,240.
Objections to the Order were received from the London and South Western Railway Company, the Studland Parish Council and the trustees of the Bankes Settled Estates who own the property adjoining. The railway company soon withdrew their objections, but a local inquiry had to be held on May 4, 1922, by Admiral Monro of the Board of Trade with Mr. Shirley Hawkins of the Ministry of Transport with regard to the other objections. Both Admiral Monro and Mr. Hawkins reported in favour of the scheme which in their view would probably have the effect of substantially deepening the harbour entrance without seriously interfering with the interests of the Bankes Trustees as adjacent landowners or of the Studland Parish Council.
The Ministry accordingly made this Order on June 12 last, but the Parliamentary authorities at first refused to suspend Standing Order No. 193A to enable the confirming Bill to be introduced, and only withdrew their opposition at the end of July when the promoters obtained an assurance from the objectors that they would not petition against the Bill. This assurance was given in return for an undertaking by the Commissioners to insert a clause—No. 27—for the protection of the Bankes. Trustees. The confirming Bill was read a first time in the House of Commons before Parliament rose in August, but owing to the Dissolution of Parliament in the autumn it could not be proceeded with further and a new Bill has had to be introduced 936 this Session to confirm this Order. I thought it was necessary to give your Lordships this explanation in view of the fact that the general opposition has now been withdrawn. I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Somerleyton.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed for Tuesday next.