§ Order read for resuming Adjourned Debate on Question [16th February], "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I object.
§ SIR JOHN LUBBOCKI hope the hon. Member will allow the Second Reading to be taken. There is really nothing contentious in the Bill, which it is proposed to refer to a Select Committee.
§ MR. BARTLEYI have no objection to this Bill being read a second time if a pledge is given that the other Bill on the same subject are also read a second time and referred to the same Committee.
§ MR. ASQUITHI have more than once expressed on behalf of the Government their intention, if these Bills are read a second time, to refer them to the same Committee. I trust that on my repeating the pledge the hon. Member will withdraw his objection.
§ MR. BROMLEY - DAVENPORT (Cheshire, Macclesfield)Will the right 335 hon. Gentleman pledge himself for his supporters below the Gangway?
§ MR. JACKSON (Leeds, N.)The Government have distinctly given an assurance that they are going to refer these Bills to the same Committee. I have no doubt that that will be carried out, and I therefore appeal to my hon. Friend to withdraw his objection.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed to a Select Committee.