HC Deb 30 July 1914 vol 65 c1673

Order for Second Reading read.

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

Mr. WORTH1NGTON EVANS

I do not want to discuss the merits of the Bill, because there are many old friends dealt with in it. Protests have always been made in the past that this is a wrong method of continuing legislation, and I want to say a word or two about the extension of the practice which the Government have been guilty of in including in this measure two portions of the National Insurance Act.

Mr. SPEAKER

The reply to the hon. Gentleman is that he should raise that in Committee. The principle of the Bill is that certain laws shall be continued. If the hon. Gentleman objects to that principle as applied to all Bills, this is the time to discuss it; but if he objects to the principle so far as only one or two Bills are concerned, then he must raise the question on the Schedule.

Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANS

I do object, of course, to the principle, because it includes a Bill which has never been subject to the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill before. I submit I should be in order in referring to what the Government themselves have said with regard to this measure.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is objecting to one measure, and therefore his proper course is to take it on the Schedule.

Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House for to-morrow (Friday).