HC Deb 06 August 1890 vol 348 cc16-7

Order for Second Reading read.

(1.38) MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSON

I beg to move the Second Reading. Since the English Bill on this subject was passed it has been urged that its benefits ought to be extended to Scotland. There is really no difference between the general laws of the two countries on the subject, and the slight variances it has been necessary to adopt have been carefully considered. I would recommend the House to adopt the Bill.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(The Lord Advocate.)

(1.39.) MR. D. CRAWFORD (Lanark, N. E.)

I do not rise for the purpose of offering any oppossition to this Motion, but I cannot help expressing my regret that the application of the Bill to Scotland was not considered when the main Bill was passed last year. The present Bill is really almost unintelligible. I think it is exceedingly inconvenient for the mercantile classes to have to refer to an Act which does not explain itself, but which refers back to an Act of the previous year.

(1.40.) MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSON

The reason why the Bill is in its present form is that the greatest authority on drafting now living, who is now a Member of the House of Lords, announced that this was the proper form.

MR. E. ROBERTSON

The reason why the Grand Committee last year did not apply the Factors Bill to Scotland was, that the Factors Act did not apply to Scotland. I may point out that in last year's Act enormous changes were made in the terminology of the Statutes—changes so great that they may reeult in some legal surprises.

(1.41.) MR. CALDWELL

It was considered last year by Scottish Legal Authorities that it would not be wise to include Scotland in the measure then passed, on account of the law of the two countries. I would remark that the present measure was brought forward in the month of July. This is another illustration of an English Act being applied to Scotland before the Local Authorities in Scotland have had an opportunity of pronouncing on the measure in its Scotch form.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed for to-morrow.