§ Mr. STUART-WORTLEY(by Private Notice) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he proposes, at an early date, to proceed with the Committee stage of the Registration of Business Names Bill, and whether he has any statement to make to the House about it?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI propose to ask the House to adopt the suggestion made by my right hon. Friend on the Second Reading of the Bill that there should be a pro forma Committee stage for the purpose of inserting the Government Amendments; if the Committee agrees to that course that the Bill should then be reported and recommitted to a. Committee of the Whole House. This will not advance the Bill, but enable it to be reprinted and will greatly facilitate the Committee stage, whilst leaving every point still open for discussion in Committee. If the House is pleased to assent to this course being taken I hope we may take the Committee stage of the reprinted Bill on Thursday.
§ Mr. LOUGHAre we to understand that the Government propose to allow a Second Reading Debate on the proposal to recommit the Bill?
§ Mr. PRETYMANIt is entirely in the hands of the House. The pro forma stage can be taken by leave of the House. There will be no discussion upon that, but I understand that when the Bill is recommitted every item in the Bill will be open for discussion in the ordinary way.
§ Mr. LOUGHHaving regard to the importance of the Amendments, does the hon. Gentleman not think it fair that there should be time for a short discussion?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe proposal made by my hon. Friend (Mr. Pretyman) is for the convenience of the House. The necessary discussion can take place on subsequent stages.