§ THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (LORD STANMORE)My Lords, these Bills have not been read a second time within the time limited by Standing Order No. 105 because of the lateness of the date on which the Wharncliffe Meeting of the company was held. The railway company has over £300,000,000 of capital carrying voting rights, and the calling of a special meeting of proprietors involves not only an expenditure of more than £1,000 in postage and the cost of printing and advertising, but the labour involved in the preparing and dispatching of the enormous number of notices. For that reason the company sent out the notices calling the Wharncliffe Meeting at the same time as the notices calling the annual general meeting. The notices of the Wharncliffe Meeting to consider these Bills were dispatched on or before the 24th February, and the meeting was held on the 20th March. There is no reason why the Bills should not be read a second time and therefore I move that Standing Order No. 105 be considered in order to its being dispensed with.
§ Moved, That Standing Order No. 105 be considered in order to its being dispensed with in respect of the said Bills.—(Lord Stanmore.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.
§ Bills read 2a, and committed: the Committees to be proposed by the Committee of Selection.