§ Order for Consideration read.
MR. W. P. SINCLAIR&c.) (Falkirk,said, the Bill was a most important one, and would, if passed into law, do a great deal of good. But there was one clause, the 3rd sub-section of Clause 3, which laid down that when the rules which the Board of Trade would have power to frame were framed, they should be laid on the Table of the House and 1817 submitted to the consideration of Parliament. If not objected to for 40 days these rules would become operative as law. This was the principle adopted in reference to other measures; for instance, the schemes of the Charity Commissioners and the Scotch Mortification schemes, and he had no objection to raise to it. But it seemed to him that in the first instance the rules to be laid down being of so much importance, and affecting such large interests, ought to come before the House for consideration at a more reasonable time than that at which the schemes of the Commissioners to which he had referred were usually discussed. In the framing of these original rules there was much requiring consideration, and, if there was any objection to be raised, opportunity should be given before 12 o'clock.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)said, he quite agreed that the rules to be formulated would be of great importance. He hoped they would be framed with the general consent of those concerned, but, of course, should there be any desire on the part of any section of the House to object to or discuss any of the rules, then a reasonable opportunity should be afforded for the purpose.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)said, he hoped the Bill would not be taken in the absence of the hon. Member for Greenock (Mr. T. Sutherland), who, time after time, had objected to the Bill when the Rules barred opposed Business. It was only right that the House should have the opportunity of hearing the hon. Member's grounds of objection, and the hon. Gentleman had no reason to suppose the Bill would be taken now. He was perfectly disinterested in this remark, for the hon. Member in question was, he believed, a Liberal Unionist.
§ THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)said, there seemed to be consensus of opinion that that was a very useful measure, and because the hon. Member for Greenock had not found it convenient to be in his place he did not think the House should postpone its Business.
§ MR. MUNDELLA (Sheffield, Brightside)said, he would add further, that since the hon. Member had watched the Bill so zealously, a strong Committee had examined its provisions, and on the 1818 Committee the hon. Member himself acted.
§ Bill, as amended, considered; an Amendment made; Bill read the third time and passed, with Amendment.