§ 2.37 p.m.
THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (LORD MERTHYR)My Lords, I rise to make a statement under No. 91 of the Standing Orders relating to Private Bills. In so doing, my sole purpose is to inform the House that when the Second Reading of the British Transport Commission Bill is taken on Thursday next there is likely, so I understand, to be a short debate. If the Bill obtains a Second Reading, it will, since it is opposed, be referred to a Select Committee, which will begin its sittings on Tuesday, June 30. It is for this reason that I am anxious that the Second Reading should, if possible, not have to be adjourned because of any lack of warning or information, as happened on a recent occasion.
My Lords, the matter which will be the subject of debate on Second Reading is, so far as I am aware, confined to those 2 parts of the Bill which authorise or are connected with the construction of a railway at Blaenau Ffestiniog, in the County of Merioneth.