HC Deb 19 February 1929 vol 225 cc1031-2

Order for Second Reading read.

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

Mr. TASKER

I beg to move, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."

The House will recollect that the original Registration Bill was sent to a Select Committee and that the Committee declined to report its recommendation. The Bill amended in many particulars was again brought before the House last year, when Members indicated so little inclination to take an interest in it that the House was counted out. I desire, first of all, to say that I am an advocate for the registration of architects. There is no evidence that the Bill is one which commends itself to the general body of practising architects, but rather is a recommendation of a small number of architects who may be designated a committee of the Royal Institute of British Architects, who are the promoters of this Bill. I made a suggestion that the whole of the practising architects who are members of that august body should be consulted and that a referendum should be taken. The Institute had appealed to the Privy Council to ask for powers—

It being half-past Seven of the clock, and there being Private Business set down by direction of the Chairman of Ways and Means under Standing Order No. 8, further Proceeding was postponed without Question, put.