§ 2.59 p.m.
§ The Chairman of Committees (Lord Aberdare)My Lords, the Severn-Trent Water Authority Bill is a Bill which has been carried over from the last Parliament, and the Motion that I am now moving is in the same terms as that to which your Lordships agreed on 21st April last. I hope that your Lordships will agree once again. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Select Committee to whom the Bill is committed may hear evidence other than that tendered by the Promoters.— (Lord Aberdare.)
§ Lord Davies of LeekMy Lords, it is with some trepidation that I ask this supplementary question, having been absent through illness. I express an interest in this problem. Would I be in order in asking (if not, I shall immediately sit down) why it is necessary for evidence other than that tendered by the promoters to be heard—or am I trespassing on the time of the House?
§ Lord AberdareNot at all, my Lords. The fact of the matter is that in this case there were no petitions against the Bill, and so in the normal event it would not have gone to a Select Committee. But there was an Instruction moved by the noble Lord, Lord Beaumont of Whitley, and therefore it was felt that the Committee should have an opportunity of hearing evidence. That is the reason why I am moving this Motion.
§ Lord Davies of LeekMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.