§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the number of Notices of rejection of the Inflammable Liquids Bill on the Order Book, and to the possible effects of further uncertainty in raising the prices of the cheaper qualities of oils, he will withdraw the Bill?
§ SIR E. BIRKBECKdesired to ask his right hon. Friend whether he really realised the strong feeling there was with reference to this Bill among the small shopkeepers in the rural districts; and whether he would not withdraw the Bill and refer the whole subject—not the Bill—to a Select Committee?
§ MR. MATTHEWSMy hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk (Sir E. Birkbeck) will see that I have anticipated his question in the answer I am about to give to the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Channing). The Notices of opposition to this Bill are so numerous as to render its chances of passing this year very remote. I propose, therefore, as soon as the Memorandum, which will be issued in a few days, is before the House, to move that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the wholes subject, and to await their Report before asking the House to legislate.