HL Deb 24 June 1879 vol 247 cc522-3

(The Earl De La Warr.)

(NO. 7.) SECOND HEADING.

ADJOURNED LEBATE.

On Order of the Day for resuming the adjourned debate on the Motion for Second Reading (which stands appointed for this day)—

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

appealed to the noble Earl (Earl De La Warr), whether he would not consider the desirability of postponing for some time the second reading of this Bill, which stood among the Orders for the Day, and of which the noble Earl had charge. It had been introduced into their Lordships' House for the purpose of making an alteration in the law with regard to compensation for injuries sustained by workmen in the service of their employers. The subject was one which had already received much attention. It had been inquired into by one or more Committees and Commissions, and the Government undertook to bring in a measure dealing with it. That promise they fulfilled by introducing a Bill into the other House, by which it was proposed, to some extent, to alter the present law. In the other House there was also a Bill identical with that of the noble Earl, and both measures stood for second reading. The Government were anxious to proceed with the consideration of their Bill at the earliest possible period; but the state of Business in the other House of Parliament, and the little time left for proceeding with fresh measures there, had to be taken into account. Meantime, it would not be possible for their Lordships satisfactorily to discuss the merits of the noble Earl's Bill without having side by side with it the measure of the Government.

THE EARL OF BELMORE

who had been, together with the noble Earl who had charge of the Bill, a Member of the Royal Commission on Railway Accidents, and signed its Report, upon which this Bill was based, joined in the appeal of the noble and learned Earl, and recommended his noble Friend to leave the matter in the hands of the Government.

LORD NORTON

thought the subject was ripe for legislation, and saw no reason why the Bill should not be proceeded with. Between the several Bills there were only differences of degree, so that all would consent to what they could get, if the Government would drop their Bill in the other House, and introduce it here to save time.

EARL DE LA WARR,

while anxious that his Bill should be brought before their Lordships this Session, said he appreciated the grounds on which the noble and learned Earl had appealed to him on the subject, and asked leave to postpone the second reading.

The adjourned debate put off to Thursday the 17th of July next.