§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
LORD WEARDALEMy Lords, this Bill requires very slight explanation, because it passed through the other House without any amendment whatever. It is for the purpose of extending the advantages of checkweighing to certain specified industries—namely, the men employed in the manufacture of iron and steel, the dockers, the men employed in quarries of chalk and limestone, and men employed in the manufacture of cement and lime, and in other industries. This Bill is almost identical in terms with one introduced for the same object in 1914 by Mr. McKenna, which came to an unfortunate end in consequence of the war. It is, after all, only extending to these workmen privileges enjoyed by the miners since 1860 and which have been constantly demanded by their co-workers since that period. I think it entirely unnecessary, in view of the fact that there was no serious opposition in the other House to the measure, that no kind of amendment was made, and that I believe the Government 912 are in sympathy with the measure, to further enlarge upon it. I therefore move that the Bill be given a Second Reading.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Weardale.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.