HC Deb 14 July 1908 vol 192 cc608-9
MR. FELL

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state to what other trades and occupations the Government proposes to extend the operation of the principle of the Coal Mines (Eight Hours) Bill; and if it is proposed to introduce during the present session any legislation with this object, as foreshadowed in the recent speech of the President of the Board of Trade.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. CHURCHILL,) Dundee

In reply to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's Question, I do not remember having foreshadowed in a recent speech any addition to the legislative programme of the present session, which indeed at this reason of the year is usually the subject of abridgment rather than of extension. In view of this fact, any reply to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's Question would be obviously premature.

ME. FELL

Is it not a fact that just before the division took place on the Miners' Eight-Hours Bill the right hon. Gentleman held out promises of extending the eight hours movement to other trades and industries?

MB. CHURCHILL

The hon. Gentleman interrogated me on a matter of fact which can be decided by reference to the pages of Hansard.