COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 15 April 1886)

§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. BRYCE) (Aberdeen, S.)
I beg leave to move, Sir, "That you do now leave the Chair." The Government will not ask the Committee to go further to-night than into Committee, because some difficulties have arisen. Some hon. Members want time to consider some of the details of the measure. If we can go into Committee now, we will put it down for Committee on some other evening for an earlier hour than this.

§ SIR HENRY HOLLAND (Hampstead)
I do not rise to oppose the course suggested by the hon. Member in charge of the Bill (Mr. Bryce); but I. desire, in a few words, to point out the grave objections that have been raised outside the House to the 6th clause, in so far, at all events, as it is made retrospective. It provides that, after the passing of the Order in Council, a publisher may dispose of copies and translations which he then has in hand, but that he is estopped from doing any more in respect of a work which would be brought under the law. As regards ordinary books, which are not illustrated, no great harm, perhaps, will be done by this retrospective action. But the case is very different in respect of illustrated books, upon which great expense has been incurred; and again, in respect of musical compositions of foreign origin, large sums have been expended in revising, fingering, and editing those works by eminent English musicians, thus, in truth, creating a fresh and distinct property. The expense so incurred can only be recouped by continued sales. I may add that in many of these cases the authors of the foreign compositions have long been dead. I have received very strong remonstrances against this clause, as now worded; and I trust the Government will consent either to omit it, or to limit its retrospective action. Upon this understanding, and also upon the understanding that they will not proceed with the 9th clause affecting the Colonies until they have ascertained the views and wishes of the Colonial Governments upon it, I will withdraw any objection to the Speaker leaving the Chair, as suggested.

§ THE SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. D. ACLAND) (Cornwall, Launceston)
In regard to 1750 Clause 6, the matter which the right hon. Gentleman has referred to has been brought before the Board of Trade, and there is to be a meeting to-morrow, at which experts will be present, to consider it. In regard to the Colonial portion of the Bill, the Government has already undertaken not to go on with it until the opinion of the Colonies is obtained.