§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ DR. CLARK (Caithness)I rise to a point of Order. I understood the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Lord Advocate that he would take the Crofters' Holding (Scotland) Bill to-night.
§ MR. SPEAKERWe have passed it now, and cannot re-open the matter.
§ MR. DILLONI asked early in the evening if the Distressed Unions (Ireland) Bill would be taken to-night, and the Chief Secretary for Ireland said distinctly "Yes." Why has it been again adjourned?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs a matter of personal explanation, I may state that had I thought the hon. Member wanted to go on with it I was quite ready to do so.
§ MR. DILLONWho, then, put it down for Thursday?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)I announced the Bill for Thursday because I was under a misapprehension. I understood it was not to be taken tonight, and was not aware of the arrangement referred to.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Jackson.)
§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)I hope the House will read this Bill a second time, because there is nothing of a debateable character in it. It is a Bill of considerable importance; and I will ask the House to consider for a moment the position in which we are placed in regard to it. I have been long endeavouring to obtain from the Government its consent to introducing a Bill of this kind—indeed, I have been trying since February last, and at last the Bill is before the House. Its object is to enable the Treasury to make investigations into the condition of certain trustee banks whenever it is necessary to do so. If the House will allow me—and I will detain it but for a few moments—I wish to say I hope the Bill will be allowed to pass through its remaining stages as quickly as possible.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Thursday.