§ *MR. LEES KNOWLES (Salford, W.) moved the Second Reading of his Bill. He explained that the country had been divided into districts for the instruction and examination of Plumbers, who received certificates when they had passed a theoretical and practical examination. It was desired that these certificates should be recognised by Law, as certificates were in other trades or professions. It was important that Plumbers should be practical men, who thoroughly understood their work; and that competency would be appreciated by many in connection with the prevailing frost.
§ MR. W. E. M. TOMLINSON (Preston)doubted whether the scheme would be really advantageous to the public. The question had been referred, on one occasion, to a Select Committee, and on another to the Standing Committee on Trade; it had received considerable attention upon several days; and the real difficulty experienced was that of giving practical effect to the provisions of a Bill of this kind. To be useful, it required to be properly administered by one of the Departments of the State. The Local Government Board could not be induced to take an interest in it; and practically the working of the Bill broke down because it could not be made the business of any Department of the Government. Unless some Department could be entrusted with the administra- 820 tion of the Bill, it was of no use giving it a Second Reading.
§ Debate adjourned to Thursday, 28th inst.