§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE EARL OF DENBIGHMy Lords, this is a Bill which has passed the other House with the general assent of all parties, and is for the purpose of remedying a defect in the law of Ireland and making it equal in this respect to the law of England and Scotland. The Bill, however, is framed more upon the lines 558 of the Act which is in operation in Scotland. Its object is to compel marine store dealers and dealers in second-hand goods in Ireland to take out licences and to keep books and records to be open to the inspection of the police if necessary. It has been found that in Scotland this provision has had a good effect in preventing a certain class of theft—notably the theft of articles which are largely dealt in by marine store and general dealers. Of course, people who commit thefts of these articles can be prosecuted under the ordinary law, but the great difficulty is to trace the articles, and it has been found that there does exist in Ireland a need for a Bill of this description. The Act has worked well in Scotland. It has checked this kind of theft by placing considerable difficulties in the way of the disposal of the proceeds of these robberies, and has not interfered at all with honest persons in the transaction of their business.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Earl of Denbigh.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Monday next.