§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
LORD HERSCHELLMy Lords, the Bill to which I would draw your Lordships' 1318 attention this evening, though very short, is by no means unimportant. At the same time, its provisions are so simple and so easy of comprehension that I feel it would be quite superfluous for me to say more than one or two sentences upon them. The object of the first portion of the Bill is to extend the Aerial Navigation Act, 1911, in such a manner as to confer the same powers upon the Secretary for 1319 War for defence purposes as were conferred in that Act upon the Home Secretary for purposes of public security. The second portion of the Bill, the terms of which are practically identical with a provision in the Consolidated Customs Act, 1876, seeks to place aircraft upon the same footing as vessels upon the sea. I understand, that it is desirable that this measure should be placed upon the Statute Book as soon as possible, and I would therefore ask your Lordships, after the Bill has been read a second time, to suspend the Standing Orders and pass it through all its stages this evening.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Herschell.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a.
§ Committee negatived: Then Standing Order No. XXXIX considered (according to Order) and dispensed with: Bill read 3a, and passed.