IRISH TOBACCO BILL.

HL Deb 07 May 1907 vol 174 cc45-6

[SECOND READING.]

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

LORD ORANMORE AND BROWNE

My Lords, at this late hour I will not detain you for more than a minute in moving the Second Reading of this Bill. The object of the measure is to repeal the law which prohibits the growing of tobacco in Ireland. It is an extremely short Bill of only two operative clauses. The first provides for the repeal of the present Act prohibiting the growing of tobacco in Ireland, and gives power for the imposition of an excise duty. The second clause authorises the growth of tobacco for experimental purposes. The Bill has passed through the House of Commons with the unanimous consent of Irish Members, both Nationalist and Loyalist, and I believe it has the friendly support of His Majesty's Government. I hope, therefore, it will commend itself to your Lordships.

Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2^a."— (Lord Oranmore and Browne.)

EARL BEAUCHAMP

His Majesty's Government offer no opposition to the passage of this Bill, which they regard with entire neutrality.

On Question, Bill read 2^a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before Eight o'clock, till To-morrow, half-past Ten o'clock.