§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. HOLMS,in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, explained that its object was to transfer merchant shipping registration entirely to the Board of Trade. The subject had been considered by a Departmental Committee of the Board of Trade appointed in 1883.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Holms.)
§ MR. WARTONsaid, he did not wish to offer opposition to the Bill. Ho 1325 merely wished to remark that if the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Holms) thought it a recommendation for the Bill that it was to extend the powers of the Board of Trade, he would remind him that that was the very worst recommendation he could have offered to the House. He trusted that before long the House would have an opportunity of considering the very great length to which the jurisdiction of the Board of Trade already extended.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Monday next.