§ SIR JOHN LUBBOCKasked the honourable Member for Stockport, Whether be will remove the block which he has placed against the Factory Acts (Extension to Shops) Bill, and allow the House to consider in Committee a Bill to which thousands of young persons are looking with intense interest?
§ MR. HOPWOOD,in reply, said, though the question was put to him in a sensational manner, calculated to put pressure upon him, he could not waive any means in his power to secure full publicity and discussion before the passing of such a measure.
§ SIR JOHN LUBBOCKIn consequence of the answer of the hon. and learned Member, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give me any facility for bringing on this Bill? There are only one or two Amendments of a purely verbal character; and though it relates to young persons who have no vote, that very fact will, I am sure, be admitted in itself to constitute a claim on the kind consideration of the House.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERWhatever may be the merits of the Bill, I can express no opinion upon it; but if I gave the hon. Member the promise he asks for I should be subjected to similar requests from many other hon. Members. I am afraid, therefore, I cannot make any promise.