PLUMBERS REGISTRATION BILL [H.L.] (Hansard, 27 February 1902)

§ LORD GLENESK

My Lords, this Bill, which has been received throughout the country with a considerable amount of favour, was taken exception to by the Government as not being sufficiently complete. The Government did not enjoy the prospect of framing the scheme under the Bill, and they threw back this duty on the promoters, who accordingly accepted it, and the scheme which has been introduced has, I believe, been approved by the Government. The objects of the Amendments standing in my name is simply to complete the Bill. It has been agreed by everybody concerned that the Council shall consist of fourteen members, and the members shall be appointed as follows. Three by the Local Government Board, two by the National Association of Master Plumbers of Great Britain and Ireland, two by the United Operative Plumbers Association of Great Britain and Ireland, two by the County Councils Association, two by the Municipal Corporations Association, one by the Royal Institute of British Architects, one by the City and Guilds of London Institute, and one by 1257 the Worshipful Company of Plumbers. Thus there will be formed a Council of great strength and character, which will see that the education of plumbers is complete, that the registration is satisfactory, and that the certificates granted are well deserved.

LORD KENYON

I can assure the noble Lord that the President of the Local Government Board is pleased to give the Bill his approval. He merely wishes to reserve to himself the right, at any future time, to criticise or amend it, if necessary. Last year, when the Bill was introduced, there was thrown on the Local Government Board the somewhat invidious task of framing the scheme by which plumbers were to receive their certificates. That seemed to the President not only a difficult but a very troublesome matter. Therefore he expressed the hope that the promoters of the Bill would see their way to amend it in that particular. That has been done, and I think the Local Government Board are now thoroughly satisfied.