HC Deb 18 June 1894 vol 25 cc1433-4

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Bryce.)

MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S. E.)

said, he must object to the Second Reading unless the Government could give the Essex Members time to discuss the Bill. The Government, up to now, had not shown any great consideration for the County of Essex, and he would suggest that they should grant a day for the discussion of this measure, or, if they could not do that, that they should suspend the Finance Bill at 9 o'clock for the purpose of allowing a discussion.

*THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. BRYCE,) Aberdeen, S.

It was very largely out of consideration for the County of Essex that this Bill was brought in, and I believe it has the support of every Essex Member except the hon. Member himself. I trust that he will not persevere in his opposition to it. It was submitted to the Conference of Fishery Commissioners last week, and received their unanimous approval. I do not believe that there is any objection to it except on the part of the hon. Member's constituents. The House knows how pressed we are for time, and I hope the hon. and gallant Member will allow the Bill to get a Second Reading to-night. If it be possible at any future stage to have any discussion, of course I shall be only too happy to do so. I can, however, make no promise on the subject. The Bill is a very simple one, and one that it is very desirable to pass.

MR. ROUND (Essex, N. E., Harwich)

expressed a hope that his hon. and gallant Friend (Major Rasch) would withdraw his opposition to the Bill. He spoke in the interest of fishermen and others on the coast of Essex, a great many of whom were in favour of the Bill, which he (Mr. Round) believed would settle a vexed question in a satisfactory way.

COMMANDER BETHELL

also appealed to his hon. and gallant Friend to withdraw his opposition. He had received representations from the Fishery Board to which he belonged in favour of the Bill, and the measure was approved by the Fishery Committee, of which he was last year a Member.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

asked for an explanation of the Bill's provisions.

MR. BRYCE

I have said already that its object is to enable Fishery Committees to make bye-laws in certain cases. They have received certain powers of making bye-laws under existing Acts, and we propose to extend those powers to the protection of shell-fish and of the places in which shell-fish spawn.

MAJOR RASCH

I am sorry to say that I cannot give way unless the Government will give proper time for the discussion of the Bill.

Second Reading deferred till Tomorrow.