§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (EARL BEAUCHAMP)My Lords, my noble friend the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries is absent on the business of his Department, and he has asked me to make his apologies 1053 to your Lordships and to move the Second Reading of this Bill on his behalf. I am happy to say that the Bill is not so important as might be imagined from its length. It is, as a matter of fact, a Bill of a very small nature and of a purely temporary character, designed to adapt the existing procedure to schemes for the improvement of small fishery harbours, which schemes are regarded favourably by the Harbour Commissioners but which could not be carried out unless prompt action is taken by means of this Bill to set up machinery for their execution. From Clause 4 (3) your Lordships will see that the operation of the Bill is limited to two years from its passing. Therefore I think we may say that it comes strictly within the definition of emergency legislation. Your Lordships will also see that the Bill does not extend to Scotland or Ireland. In view of the character of the Bill, which, as I have said, is needed for the improvement of small harbours principally used by the fishing industry, I venture to hope that your Lordships will not only give it a Second Reading but allow it to proceed through its remaining stages and receive the Royal Assent in the course of this afternoon.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.— (Earl Beauchamp.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a.
§ Committee negatived; Then (Standing Order No. XXXIX having been suspended) Bill read 3a, and passed.