§ Bill considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ Clause 1.
§ Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."
§ SIR T. ESMONDE (Kerry, W.)said, he had endeavoured to meet the objections which had been brought against this Bill from various quarters. At the desire of the Irish Office he had put down a new clause, so that there could be no mistake about the definition of "fisherman." The object of the Bill was to enable fishermen to obtain the benefits of the Labourers Acts, and to get houses and small cottages.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think we ought to have the advice of the Irish Secretary upon this subject, but the right hon. Gentleman is not present now. There certainly ought not to be an extension without the Committee being fully acquainted with all the circumstances of such a proceeding.
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTsaid, the Government would accept the Bill subject to an Amendment which he intended to propose on behalf of the Government. The Irish Office and the Treasury both accepted the Bill on that understanding.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)said, he was not opposed to bounties; but, representing as he did a fishing constituency, he thought his constituents had some reason to complain of the facilities accorded to Irish fishermen which were denied to them. If the facilities were equally accorded to English and Scotch fishermen he should have no objection.
§ It being ten minutes before Seven of the clock, the Chairman left the Chair to make his report to the House.
§ Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Monday next.