HC Deb 16 July 1906 vol 160 cc1451-2

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made and Amendment proposed, " That the Bill be now read a second time."

MR. CLAUDE HAY

said the Bill of last year was opposed by the Secretary of the Treasury, he Under-Secretary for the Colonies, and, he thought, by the present Chairman of Committees. That being so, they were entitled to a full explanation of why they now thought fit to ask the House to give it a Second Reading. He was aware that this Bill differed in certain particulars from that of last year, but nevertheless the principle was absolutely the same.

MR. MCKENNA

said there had been no change in their views on this point. Last year the question which was raised caused a considerable discussion at the time.

MR. CLAUDE HAY

I think the hon. Member will find that he is referring to the year before last.

MR. MCKENNA

thought the hon. Gentleman was wrong. As a matter of fact the controversy no longer existed owing to the change which had been made by last year's Bill. The present Bill was very simple. The hon. Gentleman knew that there had been a reduction in the tea duty. The Tynwald Court had by resolution made a similar reduction. What was proposed by the Bill was simply to make the reduction in the Isle of Man the same as in this country.