§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)said that this was a Bill which would meet with perfect agreement and endorsement from every Member of the House. But hon. Members, he thought, would be somewhat chagrined if the hon. Baronet the Member for the City of London did not give some explanation of it. It would be an exceptional treat for hon. Members to hear a few words from the hon. Baronet on a Friday afternoon. This was a Bill which could only have justice done to it by the hon. Member for the City of London. It had a most laudable object; it sought to preserve wild birds from cruel destruction, and as everybody well knew there was no place in the whole country where wild birds so abounded as in the constituency of the hon. Member. He was certain the hon. Baronet would be able to give such an explanation of the merits of his measure as would secure for it the 308 hearty and even enthusiastic approval of the House.
§ Sir F. BANBURYsaid that he had already, in introducing the Bill, explained its objects to the House. Such a course having been taken on the First Reading it was not usual to repeat it on the Second Reading stage, and under the circumstances therefore he felt it was unnecessary that he should trouble the House with any observations in response to the appeal of the hon. Member for East Clare.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House for Monday next.—(Sir F. Banbury.)