SECOND READING. (Hansard, 27 July 1893)

§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Marquess of RIPON)
My Lords, this is not a Government Bill, neither is it connected with the Department over which I have the honour to preside; but as I have felt a very keen interest for 40 or 50 years in what is known as the co-operative movement, and as there has been no active opposition to this Bill in the other House of Parliament, and as it raises no opposition of a Party character, I felt I should not be going beyond my proper position if, at the request of those interested in this subject, I took charge of the Bill in your Lordships' House. It will not be necessary for me to detain the House for more than a few minutes in moving the Second Reading, because this is, in the main, a consolidating Bill re-enacting the provisions of the existing 601 law. It is not necessary that I should go at any length into the magnitude and importance of Co-operative Societies in this country at the present day. The first Industrial and Provident Societies Act was passed in 1852. Societies of that kind were for a considerable time after that Act passed but few in number and comparatively insignificant in importance; but, showing the magnitude of the movement at present, there are now registered under these Acts 1,643 Societies, with a retail trade of nearly £32,500,000 at Cooperative Stores. In productive Societies the trade comes to £2,625,000, and for the wholesale Societies the figure is nearly £12,500,009. The number of members of these Societies in 1892 was 1.179,600, and the Union promoting the Bill represents 1,029,291 of those members, and has the authority of successive Co-operative Congresses held at Rochdale and at Bristol for their action. In 1876 a consolidating Bill was passed relating to these Bodies; hut various changes in the law have since taken place, and a further consolidation in one Act of Parliament is now desired. The Bill has passed through the House of Commons without any opposition. There was no Division on it, and I do not think there were any Amendments moved. It was referred to a. Select Committee presided over by Sir Herbert Maxwell, whose interest in Friendly Societies is well known to your Lordships. There the Bill was carefully considered, and various Amendments were adopted with unanimity, and when the Bill was returned to the House no further changes were made. It is, therefore, with the authority of tin; other House of Parliament and a specially competent Select Committee that this Bill now comes before your Lordships. I may fairly submit the Bill to your Lordships as representing the wishes and desires of all interested in this question. There are some minor alterations of the existing law proposed which will be matters for Committee. They are mainly of a consolidating character, introducing provisions affecting Societies of this kind which are to be found in other Acts of Parliament passed since 1876. Though mainly, as I have said, a consolidating Bill it does make some changes in the existing law which I shall lie happy to explain if necessary in the Committee 602 stage of the Bill, but I do not think I need trouble your Lordships with them on this occasion. I beg to move the Second Reading of the Bill.

§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HERSCHELL)
My Lords, in consequence of a communication I have received I will say a few words. I am not making any objection to this Bill at all. It is, as my noble Friend said, really a consolidation Bill. Bills of this kind are carefully studied by tin; Statute Law Revision Committee, and a suggestion has been made to me by the draftsman that a variety of alterations are expedient, having regard to the mode in which consolidations have been already carried out. The Amendments suggested are purely drafting, and the Bill will be dealt with on that footing to make it a more satisfactory measure.

§ * THE MARQUESS OF RIPON
I am quite sure those who are interested in the matter will assent to my noble and learned Friend's suggestion. I shall be only too glad to have the assistance of the draftsman, and, therefore, agree at once to what my noble and learned Friend proposes.