§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE EARL OF LUCANMy Lords, this Bill is very similar to Bills which your Lordships have passed before. Its object is to enable the Postmaster-General to acquire land in London, Blackpool and Cheltenham, chiefly for the purpose in London of new automatic telephone exchanges, and at Cheltenham to increase the post office buildings. It also gives power to build over disused burial grounds in Leicester. There is no opposition to the measure in any of the districts concerned, the local bodies, such as the City Corporation and the London County Council, being practically agreed. If there is any further information required I shall be glad to explain, but as the hour is late I will merely ask your Lordship to give the Bill a Second Reading.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Earl of Lucan.)
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPMy Lords, I understand and appreciate the fact that this Bill is entirely on the lines of Bills introduced every year, chiefly at this period of the Session, and therefore I have nothing to say in contradiction of it. Indeed, I only rise to say that I 722 shall not feel the same with regard to the next measure on the Paper, when it comes up.
§ TER MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI understand that this is a regular routine Bill.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed for to-morrow.