§ MR. LAIRDasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he will postpone the second reading of the Chain Cables and Anchors Bill in order that public bodies and others interested in the question may have an opportunity of considering the effect of the alteration proposed by the Bill—namely, voluntary instead of compulsory testing of chain cables and anchors?
§ SIR CHARLES ADDERLEYThe Bill is not, as described, for substituting voluntary for compulsory testing of cables and anchors, but for abolishing legislative penalties on the sale of untested chains, which so far from proving compulsory, have proved abortive and yet indirectly mischievous. No signs of opposition, but only of general concurrence, have yet appeared; but in deference to the hon. Member the second reading shall be postponed to Thursday week.