§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. CREMER (Shoreditch, Haggerston)said, he had waited to put a question to the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury (Mr. W. H. Smith), who was now in his place. Would the right hon. Gentleman, on behalf of the Government, give a pledge that at an early date they would take this question into serious consideration? The right hon. Gentleman was aware of the fact that a Committee sat some years ago and recommended some alterations in the Law of Registration; but no attempt had been made to give effect to that recommendation. It was by no means a Party question, and both sides of the House were equally interested in having it settled. If the Government would undertake to take the subject into serious consideration, he would be glad to withdraw this Bill; otherwise he must wait to take advantage of whatever chance he might get.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)said, he had not had an opportunity of perusing the Bill, and was, consequently, quite unaware of its contents. It was, therefore, impossible for him to give any undertaking or engagement in regard to it.
§ MR. CREMERsaid, he did not ask the right hon. Gentleman to support the Bill, but that the Government should consider the question of registration in the light of the recommendations of the Committee to which he had referred.
§ Second Reading deferred till Monday next.