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some cases to great unnecessary expense, doës not adequately preserve the control of Parliament over schemes of such importance, nor, as I think, the rights of those whose property is interfered with.

For these reasons I think the wiser and simpler, and in the circumstances the most consistent, course will be to proceed 'upon the lines of the proposal already before us with regard to Public Bills.

It would get rid of almost all the Committee work on Private Bills, and so far as the idea of delegation has been subjected to Parliamentary discussion, the adoption of some scheme of this sort has been generally approved.

I would propose to leave untouched all the preliminary procedure with regard to Private Bills, including their reference to the examiners, and (if necessary) to the Committee on Standing Orders. These rules are valuable as affording protection to private rights. But I would propose to enact by Billi

That all opposed Private Bills (including Pro- visional Order Bills), after being read a second time in either House, shall, unless the House shall otherwise order, be referred to the Private Bill Commissionere,

Power to Commissioners to hear together a group of Bills raising the same question.

The Commissioners to consist of the Railway Commissioners for the time being, three other members to be appointed by the Crown.

The Chairman of Committees in the House of Lords, and the Chairman of Ways and Means to be ex-officio members of the Commission.

All questions of locus standi to be determined by the Commission (thus abolishing the Referees).

All cases, unless the Commission shall other- wise order, to be heard before one Commissioner, with power to him to reserve any question for hearing before the Court.

Power to parties to apply for a rehearing before the Court, the evidence taken by the Commission being

referred to the Court.

Unless the Commission shall otherwise order, after considering the convenience of the parties, an inquiry by the Commissioner shall take place in the locality interested.

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