§ Order for Second Reading read.
Sir J. BAIRDI beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."
This Bill is in the usual form. Clause 1 explains its purpose, which is to authorise the National Debt Commis- 162 sioners to issue loans to the Public Works Loan Commissioners, who decide whether the objects for which local authorities desire money are such as they can properly advance money for. The Bill is for £5,000,000 less than the corresponding Bill of last year, and we hope it will extend for a longer period.
Clauses 2 and 3 deal with the failure of the Eyemouth Harbour Commission to pay its loan, a rather complicated matter which is explained fully in a White Paper which is in the Vote Office. This equally is an annual matter. Clauses 2 and 3 reproduce the Clauses which have appeared in previous Bills for the purpose of dealing with a similar situation. Unfortunately the Eyemouth Loan is secured upon surplus herring brand fee?. Last year, there being no surplus herring brand fees, there was a deficit, and it was necessary to take the steps for which provision is made in these two Clauses. I do not know that there is anything special in the Bill to which reference need be made. It is in the common form, and I hope the House will give it a Second Reading.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a Second time.
§ Motion made, and Question, "That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House for To-morrow," put, and agreed to.—[Colonel Leslie Wilson.]
§ The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.