14

H.—6

Where opposition withdrawn. 8.0., No. 70.

96. In the case of an opposed Bill, if no parties appear in support of the Petition against the Bill, or if, after entering an appearance, the parties opposing the Bill withdraw their opposition before the promoters have tendered any evidence in support of the Bill, the Committee on the Bill shall forthwith refer it back, together with a statement of the facts, to the Committee of Selection, who shall thereupon proceed to deal with it as though it were an unopposed Bill. 97. In the case of an unopposed Bill, the Member who presented the Bill shall not be entitled to vote on any question arising in the course of the proceedings of the Committee, but, except as aforesaid, every Member of the Committee shall be entitled to take part in all or any of the proceedings thereof. 98. Every plan and book of reference thereto produced in evidence before the Committee on a Bill shall (whether previously lodged in the Private Bill Office or not) be signed by the Chairman of the Committee with his name at length ; and he shall also mark with the initials of his name every alteration in any such plan and book of reference that may be agreed on by the Committee ; and every such plan and book shall thereafter be deposited in the Private Bill Office. 99. The Chairman of the Committee shall sign with his name at length a printed copy of the Bill (to be called " the Committee Bill ") having every amendment made in Committee fairly written thereon, and he shall also mark with the initials of his name every such amendment. 100. The Chairman of the Committee shall report to the House whether or not the allegations of the Preamble to the Bill have been proved to the satisfaction of the Committee ; and when any amendment has been made in any part of the Bill, that amendment, together with the reasons for making it, shall be specially stated in the Report. If the promoters have acquainted the Committee that they do not intend to proceed with the Bill, the Chairman shall report the fact to the House, and in such case no further matter need be stated in the Report. 101. The Minutes of the Proceedings of the Committee shall be brought up and laid on the Table of the House, together with the Report on the Bill . 102. When a Bill has been amended in Committee, it shall be printed as amended at the promoter's expense, and copies thereof shall be delivered to the Clerk for the use of the Members of the House two clear days at the least before the day appointed for the consideration of the Report on the Bill. 103. If it be alleged that these Orders have not been complied with in respect of any amendment made in Committee, that amendment shall be referred by the House to the Examiner for his report thereon. In case the Examiner reports that these Orders have not been complied with, the amendment, together with his report thereon, stands referred to the Joint Committee, who shall report to the House whether, in their opinion, any Order or Orders should be dispensed with and the amendment adopted by the House, or whether the Bill should be recommitted. 104. Where a Bill is reported without amendment, it shall not be necessary to take the Report formally into consideration, but the Bill may be set down for third reading on a future day, on notice given in accordance with Order one hundred and twelve hereof. 105. Where a Bill has been amended in Committee, a day is appointed for taking the Report on the Bill into consideration, and on that day the Chairman of

Member interested disqualified from voting. Ibid., No. 71.

Chairman to sign plans, &c, produced before Committee. Ibid., No. 72.

" Committee Bill." Ibid., No. 73.

Ueport of Committee. Ibid., No. 74.

Minutes of proceedings to be reported. Ibid., No. 75. Amended Bill to be printed. Ibid., No. 76.

Where amendment contravenes Standing Orders. Cf. S.O. of House of Commons, No. 97.

Third reading of unamended Bill.

Consideration of Report on amended Bill.