§ MR. BIRKBECKasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether fishing vessels will be exempted from the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Bill?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir; they will be exempted from the provisions of the present Bill; but if the fishermen or smack-owners should desire that any portion of the Bill should be applied to their industry, that can be most conveniently done by a subsequent measure.
§ MR. GIBSONasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether there is any truth in the report that the Merchant Shipping Bill, which stands for Second Beading on Monday next, will not be further proceeded with; and, whether, in the event of its being pressed forward, he intends, in deference to repeated requests, to refer it to a Select Committee?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; there is no truth in the report to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman refers. As regards his second Question, I can only say that I am now in communication with the representatives of the various interests affected by this Bill; and, under these circumstances, I think, at the present time, it would be premature to announce any decision on the part of the Government.