§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideI beg to move the Second Reading of the Bill. It is a measure on all fours with the recommendations of the Select Committee which sat on the subject of Hours of Labour for Railway Servants, and over which the right hon. Gentleman opposite (Sir M. Hicks Beach) presided. I hope the House will consent to the Second Reading. The matter has been before the House for a considerable time, and I trust it will not be necessary to delay this stage.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Mundella.)
§ MR. TOMLINSON (Preston)said, the House had never had au opportunity of considering the Report of the Select Committee. They ought to discuss that Report before advancing the Bill.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS BEACH (Bristol, W.)As I understand from the statement, which has been made by the right hon. Gentleman, this Bill is identical with the recommendations of the Select Committee over which I had the honour to preside. If that be so, and if I filled the office now held by the right 1973 hon. Gentleman, I should have no objection to the course he is now pursuing. Indeed, I would adopt it without hesitation. I trust, then that the Bill will be read a second time. If Members wish to discuss it the Government would probably consent that it should be sent before a Grand Committee.
§ *MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)said, neither of the two Front Benches had explained the provisions of the Bill, and he thought they ought to protest against Bills being advanced in this way. It seemed to him that a Bill might pass into law without the House knowing anything about it at all. If the late Government had brought in measures of this class that were considered essential to the government of the country, they would have been opposed by those who were now Her Majesty's Ministers. He did not think it was fair, or in the public interest, that they should be required to proceed with this measure at the present time, and he accordingly moved that the Debate stand adjourned.
§ Motion made, and Question, "That the Debate be now adjourned,"—(Mr. Bartley),—put, and negatived.
§ Original Question again proposed.
§ It being after Midnight, Mr. Speaker proceeded to interrupt the Business.
§ Mr. MUNDELLArose in his place, and claimed to move, "That the Question be now put."
§ *MR. SPEAKERI would point out to the right hon. Gentleman who moves that the Question be now put that the discussion of this Bill has lasted little more than five minutes. There are circumstances which no doubt seem quite to justify the right hon. Gentleman in making the Motion. But my responsibility is to consider the claims of a minority who may wish to further discuss a Bill. I have had an indication that hon. Members do wish for further discussion; therefore I am compelled to decline to put the Question.
§ The Debate stood adjourned.
§ Debate to be resumed To-morrow.