§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
*THE EARL OF JERSEY, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill, said, this was a measure to remedy a practical inconvenience felt in the working of the Middlesex County Council. At the present time any applicants for music and dancing licences could only apply at one Sessions in the year—namely, in November, and the object of the Bill was to adopt the fourth part of the Public Health Amendment Act of 1890, enabling applicants to apply, by merely giving 14 days' notice, any time in the year. The words of the fourth part of the Public Health Amendment Act had been closely followed, except that the County Council was inserted in place of the Justices. The measure was brought forward in the interests of many people who wished to have music and dancing licences, and in the other House it met with the support of the Home Department, whilst he believed in this House the noble Lord who represented that Department would offer the Bill no opposition.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Earl of Jersey.)
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYIs there any reason why it should not be extended to other counties?
*THE EARL OF JERSEYThere has hitherto been a 20 miles limit placed on Middlesex, and Part IV. of the Public Health Act does apply to all urban districts where the Act has been adopted.
§ THE EARL OF CHESTERFIELDsaid, the noble Lord was quite right in saying the Home Office had no objection to the Bill.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.