§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ EARL GREYI would venture to appeal to the noble Lord in charge of this Bill (Lord Muskerry) to postpone the Second Reading till a later date. The Bill was only printed on Saturday, and the shipowners in the North of England, who have telegraphed and written to me on this subject, strongly protest against a Bill of this great importance, which vitally affects the shipping industry, being dealt with in this hasty manner. I hope the noble Lord will see his way to comply with the request which I venture to make.
§ THE EARL OF WEMYSSOn behalf of the Shipowners' Parliamentary Committee, I desire to support the appeal of my noble friend for the postponement of the discussion upon this Bill.
LORD MUSKERRYI have no hesition in agreeing, after the appeal of the noble Lords, to postpone the Second Reading of this Bill. I might mention, however, that the Bill was read a first time on Monday last, and I do not know why it was not circulated before Saturday. Would it suit the noble Lords if I put the Bill down for to-morrow?
§ EARL GREYThat would be too short a time for the Bill to be properly considered, and I certainly think it is only proper that so important an industry should have ample opportunity of looking into this Bill before your Lordships are asked to give it a Second Reading.
§ Order for Second Reading discharged.