HC Deb 24 February 1916 vol 80 cc831-2

Order for Second Reading read.

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

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL (Sir G. Cave)

In a few sentences I desire to move the Second Reading of this Bill, dealing with a small matter which has arisen in practice, namely, the question of actions brought in the Prize Court against persons acting in the naval Service or in the employment of the Admiralty. As matters now stand, such actions can only be brought in this country. That is hardly convenient, because sometimes the cause of action arises elsewhere, and the facts are better known to the Court at the place where the question arose. We propose, therefore, to deal with the matter in two Clauses. The first Clause will repeal the provision which requires the action to be brought in this country; and the second will give power to direct that the action, if brought here, be transferred to another Prize Court, which would naturally be the Court of the place where the question really arose.

Question put, and agreed to.

Mr. REA (Lord of the Treasury)

I beg to move, "That this House resolve itself a Committee on the Bill."

Sir H. DALZIEL

There is an Amendment which has to be moved to Clause 1, but I do not know that I wish to press it at the moment.

Mr. REA

Then I will withdraw my Motion, and substitute for it, "That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House for Tuesday next."

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Question, "That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House for Tuesday," put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly committed for Tuesday next.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.