Mr. Macmillan, for the Promoters, is then heard to address the Committee with regard to the engineering feasability and adequacy of the scheme.

After deliberation the Lord in the Chair is heard to announce that the Committee are of opinion that: -So far as engineering alone is concerned, the Bill may proceed, subject to provision being made in some way for the adequate upkeep of the Hundred Foot River.

The Committee are, of course, not yet in a position to deal with the question of cost. (See Minutes of Evidence.)

Mr. Jeeves, for Kings Lynn Corporation, is then (by leave) heard to address the Committee against the financial provisions of the Bill.

Ordered, That the Committee be adjourned to Tuesday, the 8th of November, at half-past Eleven o'clock.

The Order of adjournment is read.

The Proceedings of the 28th of July last are read.

The Committee discuss the impressions gathered by members of the Committee during their visit to the Ouse Drainage Area.

Mr. Macmillan, for the Promoters, is heard to make a statement showing the present position of the Bill, and mentions that Clauses have been agreed as to points at issue, with several of the Opponents.

Mr. Van den Bergh, for Huntingdonshire County Council, is then heard to ask that he shall not be debarred from raising the question of the Hundred Foot River, on the ground that it is a Clause matter.

Mr. Macmillan is heard to agree.

Mr. Jeeves, for the Kings Lynn Corporation, then calls:-Mr. Edward John Silcock and Mr. J. C. Matthew. (See Minutes of Evidence.)

Mr. Thorp, for Mr. J. A. Fielden, is heard to address the Committee, and calls:-Mr. Frederick C. R. Sneath. (See Minutes of Evidence.) Mr. Raikes, for the Middle Level Commissioners, is then heard to open his address to the Committee on the question of the Finance of the Scheme.

Mr. Macmillan, for the Promoters, is heard to object to evidence being given on the general question of Finance.

Sir Murdoch Macdonald is heard to raise the question of the accuracy of the levels as given by the old and new survey of the district.

Ordered, That the Committee be adjourned till to-morrow at Eleven o'clock.

The Marquess of BATH in the Chair.

The Order of adjournment is read.

The Proceedings of yesterday are read.

Mr. Macmillan is heard to explain the inaccuracy of the Map on which ordnance datum level was given.

The Lord in the Chair is heard to state that the Committee do not wish to hear further evidence on the general cost of the Scheme, and are anxious to deal as soon as possible with the question of the Uplands.

Mr. Raikes, for the Middle Leved Commissioners, is heard to point out that he does not intend to repeat any evidence as to general cost, but does wish to bring forward the question of the cost of maintenance of the works, which adds a very large amount to the cost.

Mr. Raikes is then heard to address the Committee, and calls:-Sir Alexander Gibb, Mr. Joseph Stephenson and Mr. Charles G. Eve. (See • Minutes of Evidence.)

Mr. Van den Bergh, for Huntingdonshire County Council, is heard to address the Committee and asks that the Promoters should lay before the Committee their proposals with regard to the maintenance of the Hundred Foot River on a sound financial basis.

The Hon. Evan Charteris, K.C., on behalf of the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk County Councils, is then heard to address the Committee as to the financial proposals in the Bill.

Ordered, That the Committee be adjourned till to-morrow at Eleven o'clock.

Die Jovis, 10° Novembris, 1927.

PRESENT:

Marquess of Bath.

Lord Forester.

Lord Northington

(Lord Henley).

The Marquis of BATH

The Order of adjournment is read.

The Proceedings of yesterday are read.

Mr. Campbell.

Captain Crookshank.
Colonel Heneage.

Sir Murdoch Macdonald.
Mr. Riley.

in the Chair.

The Hon. Evan Charteris is heard to continue his address to the Committee.

Mr. F. G. Thomas, for Bedford Corporation, is then heard to address the Committee.

Mr. Sydney Turner, for Cambridge Corporation, is then heard to address the Committee.

Mr. W. Gerald Dodson, for the Borough of Bury St. Edmunds and Thingoe Rural District Council, is heard to address the Committee.

Mr. Tyldesley Jones, for the Bedford, Buckingham, Hertford, Northampton and Oxford County Councils, is then heard to address the Committee.

Mr. Gorman, for the Huntingdonshire County Council, is heard to ask that certain definite figures as to the cost of the Scheme should be placed by the Promoters in the hands of the Committee.

Ordered, That the Committee be adjourned till to-morrow at 11-45 o'clock.

After deliberation it is Moved, That it is expedient to proceed with

the Bill;

On Question?

Contents (3).

Marquess of Bath.

Mr. Campbell.

Colonel Heneage.

Not Contents (5).

Lord Monk-Bretton.

Lord Forester.

It is resolved in the negative.

Lord Northington

(Lord Henley).

Captain Crookshank.

Sir Murdoch Macdonald.

The Lord in the Chair is then heard to announce the decision of the Committee which is as follows:-That the Committee have met and considered the Bill and have heard Counsel and examined witnesses and have come to the conclusion that it is not expedient to proceed with the Bill.

Ordered, That the Lord in the Chair do report accordingly to the House of Lords and that Sir Murdoch Macdonald do make the like report to the House of Commons.