§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ (12.5.) MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)I understand that the hon. Member for Islington, who has a similar Bill on the Paper to this, was informed by the President of the Board of Trade that as soon as the Bill was read a second time the right hon. Gentleman would consent to its being referred to a Select Committee. What I wish to know is whether if this Bill is read a second time, the right hon. Gentleman will consent to its reference to the same Committee?
§ (12.6.) THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH, Bristol, W.)I have no objection myself to refer this Bill, if read a second time, together with the Bill of the hon. Member for Islington, to a Select Committee; but I think the House ought to be informed that these Bills propose to inflict a penalty upon those firms which do not register their names, and that may be rather a serious interference with trade. I am not prepared to assent to the Second Reading of this Bill until the House has first assented to the Second Reading of the Bill of the hon. Member for Islington.
§ Second Reading deferred till Monday next.