§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEThe next Bill which I ask the permission of the House to introduce is a Measure to simplify and amend the law relating to the testing and sale of anchors and chain cables. It is practically a consolidation Bill. The law now provides that anchors and chain cables used on board ship shall be subjected to the test, but the law has been found to be extremely unsatisfactory. It is contained in three or four Acts of Parliament, and it has been pointed out to the Board of Trade that this renders the law extremely uncertain, because these Acts are not altogether in accord the one with the other. Thus the law is very easily evaded, and it is also very difficult to enforce. There is only one new provision in this Measure. We find that private testing firms are in the habit of putting on marks which are of a character likely to make it appear that those articles have been tested under the auspices of the Board of Trade. Now we do not desire to prevent private establishments testing and putting marks on anchorage and chain cables, but we do desire to provide that when those articles are tested at a private establishment, and not at the public establishment licensed by the Board of Trade, they should have upon them a clear and distinct mark which will show that they have been tested privately, and not by those officers appointed by the Board of Trade.
§ Bill presented, and read the first time; to be read a second time upon Monday next, and to be printed. (Bill 101.)