HC Deb 08 May 1873 vol 215 cc1708-9

Order for Third Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the third time."—(Mr. Clare Read.)

MR. MUNDELLA

said, he was sorry to be obliged to oppose this Bill, coming as it did from the other side of the House. The Bill provided no means of inspection, and no local authority for carrying it out. The Bill, if carried in its present shape, would be utterly valueless—it would be a dead letter. What he wanted was that the Bill should be made operative. If the hon. Member (Mr. Clare Read) would say that he would accept inspection and make some other necessary amendments, he would be happy to withdraw his opposition. Unless the hon. Gentleman would accept this proposal, he would move that the Bill be read a third time that day six months.

Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."—(Mr. Mundella.)

Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."

MR. CORRANCE

said, he would support the rejection of the Bill for reasons diametrically opposite to those of the hon. Member for Sheffield. It was difficult to cultivate the land advantageously at the present prices of labour; and if boys were to be kept off until they were 13 years of age, they would never come on the land at all. On these grounds he asked the House if it was prudent to allow this measure to go further.

MR. BEACH

supported the third reading of the Bill, as a Bill calculated to produce a considerable advancement in the interests of the country.

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

said, he was sure the agricultural labourers of the country were thankful to the hon. Member for South Norfolk (Mr. Clare Road) for having placed his name on the Bill. He would suggest the recommittal of the Bill, that certain Amendments which he had formerly p1st on the Paper, relating to the number of attendances at school, and the age at which children might be allowed to commence work, might be considered.

MR. BRUCE

agreed with much that the hon. Member for Sheffield (Mr. Munciella) had said; but did not think it fair when the measure had gone through discussion, and various Amendments had been disposed of, that they should be asked to consent to its being referred again to Committee.

MR. T. E. SMITH

said, he thought it better to take the Bill as it was than to run the risk of having no Bill at all.

MR. FAWCETT

said, the Home Secretary had misunderstood the hon. Member for Sheffield (Mr. Mundella), and he would suggest that the hon. Member should withdraw his opposition and let the debate be adjourned to some other night, when they could discuss the question of the Amendments which should be introduced in it.

MR. CLARE READ

declined to accede to that suggestion.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read the third time, and passed.

House adjourned at a quarter after One o'clock.