HC Deb 20 January 1913 vol 47 cc174-5

Order for Second Reading read.

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

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)

This is a single Clause Bill, and is all that remains of the Market Gardeners Bill which was introduced earlier in the Session. They both had as their object the annulling of a decision which entirely upset the custom in the market gardening districts, and particularly the district of Evesham, and which made the work of the market gardeners who had to do with holdings in the districts almost impossible. The two Bill were introduced early in the Session, and both were committed to Grand Committee. There was considerable divergence of opinion there as to Clauses which had been added to the main proposals. The smaller Bill dealt primarily with what is known as the Kedington case. The Bill introduced by an hon. Friend of mine on this side went further than the Kedington case, and introduced a larger number of matters which were controversial. We were unable to arrive at the Grand Committee at a unanimous decision with regard to it. At this late stage of the Session we should be jeopardising whatever chance there was of setting right the Kedington case if we were to go into these other matters. This Clause deals with that case, and nothing else. The Grand Committee was unanimous in desiring to have this matter remedied, and, as hon. Members on both sides are also anxious to have the matter put right, I hope that the House will now give the Bill a Second Reading.

Mr. BOOTH

Is it intended to commit the Bill to a Committee of the Whole House, or send it back again?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I shall move that it be committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I beg to move, "That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House."

Question put, and agreed to. Bill committed accordingly for to-morrow (Tuesday.)