§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
EARL RUSSELLMy Lords, this Bill, of which I move the Second Reading on behalf of my noble friend Lord De La Warr, provides that merchant vessels which exceed 500 tons shall carry apparatus and lines for life-saving purposes. The effective enactment is all contained in Clause 1. The Board of Trade are to have power to make rules, and the object is the extremely admirable one of enabling lives to be saved in these smaller vessels which would not otherwise be saved if this life-saving apparatus were not available.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Earl Russell.)
§ THE EARL OF PLYMOUTHMy Lords, I do not think it is necessary for me to add anything in explanation of the Bill. The Government quite approve of its provisions, and naturally do not offer the slightest opposition.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.