§ SIR ALBERT ROLLIT, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill, stated that in the Factory Acts there were certain exemptions as to the fishing trade so as to allow the curing of fish immediately on being landed—a process which was absolutely necessary. Recently a narrower construction had been put on the saving clause in the Act, with the result that 50 or 60 prosecutions had been begun, but were suspended by the Home Office in the hope that this Bill would pass into law and thus render the procedure in these prosecutions unnecessary. He had received letters from the Home Secretary and the right hon. 659 Gentleman's predecessor in favour of the Bill. He trusted, therefore, that as the question was urgent the House would allow the Second Reading to be taken now.
§ MR. T. R. BUCHANAN (Aberdeenshire, E.)said the Bill was an important one, but it had only been issued the previous morning. He asked his hon. Friend to postpone the Committee stage for a week in order to give time for the Scottish fishing interest to examine its provisions.
§ SIR ALBERT ROLLITI will most readily do so.
Bill read a second time, and committed for Wednesday next.