HC Deb 24 March 1851 vol 115 cc493-4

Order for Second Reading read.

The ATTORNEY GENERAL

moved the Second Reading of this Bill, for the purpose of having it printed.

COLONEL SIBTHORP

would oppose the Motion. It was a Bill for the aggrandisement of foreigners at the expense of Englishmen. The Exhibition Commissioners had cut down enough of trees in Hyde Park to hang the whole lot of them.

MR. LABOUCHERE

hoped the hon. and gallant Member would not insist in opposing this Bill. Everybody must agree that it was desirable to give adequate protection to designs intended for the Exhibition against piracy. The Bill had been referred to a Select Committee in the Lords, and all the law Lords had approved of it. He, therefore, hoped there would be no objection to the second rending of the Bill.

MR. NEWDEGATE

wished to know if the Bill gave the same protection to the designs of English manufacturers as to those of foreigners?

MR. LABOUCHERE

said, the Bill gave protection equally to all persons exhibiting, whether English or foreigners. He had received many applications from manufacturers in various parts of the country in favour of the Bill.

MR. NEWDEGATE

wanted to know whether English exhibitors were to be protected from piracy in foreign countries?

MR. LABOUCHERE

had no doubt but in the event of any similar exhibition being attempted by any other country, full protection would be secured to English exhibitors by foreign Governments.

MR. ALDERMAN SIDNEY

said, there was no security to the English manufacturer that foreigners who visited the Exhibition might not pirate his goods when they returned to their own country.

The ATTORNEY GENERAL

said, it must be obvious that protection could only be given in this country by any Bill which Parliament could pass; but the present measure gave equal protection to all, whether natives or foreigners.

MR. WESTHEAD

thought the Bill was of great importance to a large portion of the industrial classes in this country; and therefore he hoped, the second reading would be proceeded with. Any objections to the details of the Bill could be fully discussed hereafter.

Bill read 2°, and committed for Wednesday.

The House adjourned at Two o'clock.