COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 8 June 1893)

MR. LEES-KNOWLES
asked the House to agree to the Order for going into Committee being discharged, so that the measure might be sent to the Grand Committee on Trade.

§ MR. S. EVANS
objected.

MR. LEES-KNOWLES
said, he thought the Bill could be more fairly and fully discussed before the Grand Committee. It was a Bill of considerable importance, which was referred last year to a Select Committee, the Blue Book of Evidence having since been published. The measure had on the back of it the names of as many Members on the hon. Gentleman's side of the House as on the Opposition side. Its object was to legalise a system which already existed. A large amount of money, time, and trouble bad been spent by the Plumbers' Company of the City in dividing the whole of the Kingdom into districts for the purpose of examining and educating plumbers. The plumbers were educated and then examined from headquarters, and when they had passed examinations they received certificates. Only those men who were properly qualified received certificates; and it was essential that the public should know what persons were so qualified, having regard to the fact that plumbing was intimately connected with sanitation. The health of almost everybody depended upon the care with which plumbing work was carried out. The health of every Member of the House of Commons largely depended on it, and many of them, he was sure, had suffered from defective plumbing.

§ MR. S. EVANS
said, he had not yet heard any argument to show why the Bill should be referred to a Select Committee. Under the circumstances, he thought it would be better that the Bill should be dealt with in a way which would bring its provisions more directly under the notice of Members of the House generally. Hon. Members opposite expected consideration for their Bills, but they took care to block the measures of their political opponents. He referred in particular to Bill No. 20 on the Paper (Places of Worship Enfranchisement Bill).

MR. LEES-KNOWLES
said, he was sorry if the hon. Member's Bill was blocked; but he (Mr. Kuowles) had nothing to do with the matter.

§ SIR E. HARLAND (Belfast, N.)
I object.