HC Deb 10 June 1892 vol 5 cc819-20

CONSIDERATION.

Order for Consideration, as amended, read.

(1.38.) MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)

I would make an appeal to the House in favour of this Bill, and I can assure the hon. Baronet (Sir Richard Temple), who has given notice of an Amendment, that what he proposes has been anticipated by the Amendments introduced at the instance of the Board of Trade. The hon. Baronet will find that the object he has in view is carried out by those Amendments. The clause permits an officer of the Board of Trade to go on board and inspect the provisions if he thinks it is necessary to do so, but the Bill does not say that he shall make the inspection. I hope the hon. Baronet will not press his Amendment.

(1.39.) SIR RICHARD TEMPLE (Worcester, Evesham)

I do not wish to obstruct the Bill, and I do not want to embarrass the Board of Trade; but in deference to the wishes of various shipping interests with which I have been in communication, I must move my Amendment. I am sorry to say my objection to Clause 3 is not removed by the hon. Member's explanation. In a word or two, I may state what my object is.

MR. SPEAKER

If the Bill is objected to it stands over.

SIR R. TEMPLE

Perhaps my Amendment may be accepted on a little explanation?

MR. HOWELL

With the general assent of the House, perhaps the hon. Baronet may be allowed to explain.

SIR R. TEMPLE

In a few words I can explain the Amendment I desire to move. It is quite agreed that the provisions shall, if necessary, be inspected, but it is apprehended, that the officer of the Board of Trade may go on board just before a ship is about to sail. If an objection is made to the quality of the provisions, then the ship must be detained until the inspection is made, and the defect is remedied. The only object of my Amendment is to secure that the owner or agent, having given due notice to the Board of Trade of the probable date of the ship's sailing, the inspection shall be made in due time, and to allow a proper interval before the appointed date of sailing, so that if there are any defects to be remedied that may not necessitate the detention of the ship beyond the announced date of sailing. If the officer for any reason fails to make his inspection in time, that shall not be a reason for detaining the vessel. Nothing is so detrimental to the just interests of a ship as detention. If my Amendment is adopted there will be a certainty that an inspection, if made, shall be made in time to remedy any defect in the provisions found to exist. It is a simple matter, and I leave the Amendment in the hands of the House.

(1.41.) MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am sorry to have put my hon. Friend to the trouble of explaining his Amendment. I have given a pledge not to allow Progress to be made with other than Government Bills after twelve o'clock so that I cannot consent to this Bill being taken to-night. I have, however, consulted with my right, hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, and I find that the Bill does come under the category of unopposed measures, and my hon. Friend (Sir R. Temple) has himself said he does not wish to defeat the Bill. I propose therefore on Monday to include the Bill among the Government Orders of the Day.

Consideration, as amended, deferred till Monday next.