§ MR. H. S. FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the event of the Sea Fisheries Bill being read a second time, he is prepared to refer it to a Select Committee of this House, having power to call evidence; and whether he is prepared to treat assent to the Second Reading as in no way prejudging the question whether the prohibition of landing and selling undersized fish in the United Kingdom will prevent their destruction.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon)Yes, Sir; I propose to refer the Bill to a Select Committee in the event of the House reading it a second time. The matter will in no way be prejudged by the Bill being read a second time.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)When is the Bill to be taken? 16 Will the right hon. Gentleman give due notice?
§ MR. RITCHIEI think my right hon. friend stated before the holidays that it would be taken on Monday.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Is this Bill identical with the one known last year as the Undersized Fish Bill?
§ MR. RITCHIEMy hon. friend can satisfy himself on that point by comparing the two Bills.