RESOLUTION. FIRST READING. (Hansard, 13 February 1871)

§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE

, in moving that the Chairman be directed to move the House, that leave be given to bring in a Bill to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to Merchant Shipping and Navigation, said, he did not propose to trouble the House with any statement upon the merits of a Bill of that magnitude, and containing such a mass of details; but he had been anxious to introduce the Bill at a very early period, in order that a measure which must require so much time for examination even by those who were best acquainted with the subject should be as soon as possible in the hands of hon. Members. He intended to accompany the print of the Bill with a memorandum, which he hoped would be distributed in a few days, explaining the points in which the Bill would effect a change in the present law, and also the points in which, it differed from the Bill introduced last year by his hon. Friend now the Under Secretary for the Home Department. He proposed to move the second reading in a few weeks, and on that occasion he would be ready to give any explanation that might be required. He need not say that it would be quite impossible to pass a Bill like this if details on numerous points were made the subject of contest in that House, or if hon. Gentlemen who were in favour of any great alteration in the present law which was not contained in the Bill were to insist on enforcing their views as against it. On the other hand, if they thought it would be a useful measure of consolidation and amendment he hoped they would give him their support in carrying it into law. No pains should be wanting on his part or on that of his Colleague, the Secretary of the Board of Trade, to facilitate the passing of the measure. He should be happy to confer with hon. Members upon any part of this Bill, which they might feel inclined to criticize or object to, and to meet them as far as his duty allowed. In that spirit, he trusted, it might be possible this year to pass the measure into law. The right hon. Gentleman concluded by moving the Resolution.