§ Order for Second Heading read.
§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)The hon. Member in charge of this Bill desires me to say that he has arranged with the officials of the Board of Trade as to certain Amendments to this Bill, and if the Bill is permitted a Second Beading those Amendments shall be placed upon the Paper. I do not suppose the House will desire me to go through the Amendments; I may say, however, that every one of the suggestion made by the Shipping Companies have been carried out in these Amendments.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed; "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ * THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.I would second the appeal of the hon. Member that the Bill should be read a second time. Great care has been taken in drafting the proposed Amendments to the Bill, which include reference to the recommendations of the Load Line Committee, and which have the approval of the Board of Trade and the shipping interest.
* COLONEL HILL (Bristol, E.)I may perhaps say that the Amendments which have been adopted by the Board of Trade and accepted by the promoters of the Bill have the approval of several of my shipping friends and myself.
§ MR. CALDWELL (Glasgow, St. Rollox)The shipowners of Glasgow have asked me to object to this Bill. I am sorry to oppose it now, for I never like blocking a Bill. Will the hon. Member be satisfied to allow the Bill to stand over until Monday?
§ MR. HOWELLIf the hon. Member knows that the shipowners to whom he refers had the opportunity of urging their views on the Board of Trade and did not do so, it may alter his view. Every opportunity will arise for discussing Amendments in Committee.
§ MR. CALDWELLI understand that a deputation was to wait upon the Board of Trade, and has not yet done so.
§ * SIR MICHAEL HICKS BEACHPerhaps I may be allowed to explain that the shipowners requested me to give them an interview, and last Tuesday was fixed for the purpose, but subsequently they sent word that they were unable to come.
§ MR. CALDWELLLeave it until Monday.
§ SIR W. HARCOURTAs my name is on the back of the Bill, I may join in the appeal to my hon. Friend not to press his objection. The Bill deals with matters of great importance for the interest of our seamen. Future stages will allow full opportunity for discussion.
§ MR. CALDWELLI withdraw my objection.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Monday next.