§ MR. RATHBONEasked the President of the Board of Trade, What course he intends to take with the Merchant Shipping Bill; whether he intends to press it in the present Session?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, in reply, that he was extremely anxious to press the Bill forward, and would endeavour, as far as lay in his power, to do so. It appeared to him, however, that it was possible to pass it in the present, or, indeed, in any, Session only by the attention of those who were interested in the measure being given to its provisions so as to secure a complete examination of them outside the walls of the House before they came on for discussion. If that were done, he entertained very sanguine expectations that by means of the suggestions thus made its progress would be very much facilitated. He hoped that during the Recess hon. Members would use their influence to this end, furnishing the Board of Trade with the result of their deliberations, either in writing, by personal interviews, or both; and the Bill might thus be put into such a stage that without any great loss of time it might become law.