§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE EARL OF CRAWFORDMy Lords, this is a Bill which I think is non-contentious. It passed through all its stages in the House of Commons in a single sitting. Its effect is to extend the definition of "agricultural labourer" as applied to the housing question in Ireland from its present status in the Act of 1903, in order that men who are bona fide agricultural labourers may enjoy the privileges under the Labourers (Ireland) Act connected with rural housing. The parent Act limits the advantages of its operations to those earning 17s. 6d. per-week, and this Bill extends the definition 641 in order to allow the large class of agricultural labourers who are now earning over that sum to get the benefit of the Act.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Earl of Crawford.)
§ On Question. Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.