§ Order for Second Beading read.
§ MR. HADFIELDsaid, he had been informed that it was the intention of the Government to introduce a general measure for regulating the law affecting masters and workmen, and, if that were the case, he would wish to withdraw the Bill.
§ MR. BOUVERIEsaid, that the Bill of the hon. Member for Sheffield (Mr. Hadfield) proposed to extend the existing law with reference to the relation between masters and workmen in certain trades to persons engaged in the iron manufacture, and he understood that considerable objection was entertained to the measure, especially in Birmingham. A Bill, comprising between 300 and 400 clauses, for consolidating the whole law relating to masters and workmen had been drawn, and might be seen by hon. Members in the library; but although that Bill had been under the consideration of the Lord Chancellor, and would, he believed, be laid upon the table of the other House, he could not hold out any hope of its being passed during the present Session. The object of that Bill was simply to consolidate the law, without applying it to any trades beyond those which it now affected. When that measure was brought forward the hon. Gentleman could, if he chose, propose that its provisions should apply to the particular trades to which this Bill referred.
§ MR. HADFIELDsaid, that under these circumstances, as the late period of the 2013 Session rendered it impossible to carry this Bill through Parliament during the present year, he would move that the Order for the second reading be discharged.
§ Order discharged.
§ The House adjourned at a quarter before Two o'clock.