§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—[Mr. G. Courthope.]
§ Mr. J. W. GULLAND (Lord of the Treasury)There have been many Bills in connection with this subject, and, in the absence of the President of the Local Government Board (Mr. John Burns), who is a very well-known expert on the subject, I think it would scarcely do to pass its Second Reading without discussion. The hon. Member has not told us what the Bill proposes to do. I am sorry he did not give us some information about it, but we all know it is a very controversial subject. There have been one or two discussions, especially with regard to the milk supply of London, and I think until we have some fuller knowledge of the subject it is only right that we should not give a Second Reading to this Bill.
And, it being a quarter past eight of the clock, and there being Private Business set down by direction of the Chairman of Ways and Means, under Standing Order No. 8, further proceeding was postponed without question put.