HC Deb 21 August 1916 vol 85 c2441

Order for Second Reading.

HON. MEMBERS

Object.

Mr. MUNRO

I hope that the House will give me the Second Reading of this Bill to-night. I can explain it in a very few words. The purpose of the Bill is to shorten the form of warrant to charge on Extracts of Court of Session Decrees, and thus to save time, labour and money. In that way it may be said to be a Bill connected with the War and for the purpose of economising. It was recommended by a Departmental Committee a number of years ago. It has been examined by the hon. and learned Member for West Edinburgh (Mr. Clyde) and by the hon. Baronet the Member for Ayr Burghs(Sir G. Younger), and I think I can claim that they both support it. I know of no one who opposes it, and, in asmuch—

Colonel GRETTON

How many Clauses are there?

Mr. MUNRO

Three, including the definition Clause. It is very short and simple. And, inasmuch as the Bill is designed to save time, labour and money, is supported in these influential quarters, and is opposed by no one. I hope that the House will give me this stage to-night.

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER (Mr. J. H. Whitley)

If objection is persisted in the Bill cannot be taken after eleven o'clock.

Sir F. BANBURY

The hon. and learned Gentleman told us that this Bill can be connected with the War, and then after a little time he went on to say that many years ago a Committee recommended it. That seems to be such a strange argument and so inconsistent that it has completely conquered me. Even a Scotsman can hardly connect the Report of a Committee many years ago with the War.

Mr. MUNRO

It was not many years ago; the Committee reported quite recently.

Bill read a second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House for To-morrow.—[Mr. Rea.]