§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ HE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, Poplarin moving the Second Reading of this Bill stated that it was a Bill to 1211 extend the existing Act, to which no objection had been taken by any of the parties interested. In view of some objections, which had been taken to this being made a permanent Bill, he pro posed, on going into Committee, to limit its duration to December 31st, 1912. The Bill did not vary in any particular the provisions of the existing Act.
§ Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ MR. CLAUDE HAY (Shoreditch, Hoxton)complained that the right hon. Gentleman had given them no reason why the duration of the Act should be altered to the year 1912.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONsaid the Bill was introduced two years ago by his predecessor, and it ran out in two years. It ran out this year and must be renewed.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYstill complained that the Postmaster-General had given no reasons for continuing the Act for six years. Wireless telegraphy was being continually developed, and, in view of the commercial and national, as well as the scientific, importance of the matter, some further explanation should be given before the House tied its hands for this long period. In order to elicit this information, he begged to move that the Bill be read a second time this day six months.
§
Amendment proposed—
To leave out the word 'now,' and at the end of the Question to add the words 'upon this day six months.'"—(Mr. Claude Hay.)
§ Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question.'"
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONapologised to the hon. Member and explained that the original Act conferred upon the Postmaster-General the power of granting or refusing licences in regard to wireless telegraphy. It was passed two years ago in consequence of new companies springing up. There never had been any intention on the part of the Post Office to deal otherwise than fairly and generously with all concerned, and there had been no complaint from any of the parties during the two years the Act had been in operation. He hoped, therefore, the House 1212 would accept this extension Bill, which made no alteration in the original Bill, without further discussion.
§ Question put, and negatived.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a Second time, and committed for To-morrow.
§ And, there being no further Business set down for the Afternoon Sitting, Mr. Speaker left the Chair until this Evening's Sitting.