§ 3.41 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill I need not say anything about the measures contained in Part II, because they are self-explanatory. With regard to the measures in Part I, your Lordships will perhaps like to know something of the matters with which they are concerned. The Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, gives power to the Minister of Labour to govern the importation of foreign labour into this country. The Cotton Manufacturing Industry (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1934, covers the statutory approval of a voluntary agreement reached in connection with wages in the weaving section of the cotton industry. The Road Traffic Act of 1934 governs the thirty-mile limit in built up areas. The Population (Statistics) 666 Act, 1938, is, with your Lordships' permission, to be kept in force for a short time pending a decision respecting the Royal Commission Report on population. The Prevention of Violence (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1939, governs the violence that we experienced in this country from Irish republicans. Whilst it is true that there are no Irishmen suffering under the provisions of this Act at the moment, it is thought desirable to retain it in force for the present. The last Act, the Education (Exemptions) (Scotland) Act, 1947, empowers the Secretary of State for Scotland to release children of thirteen years and upwards from school to enable farmers to cope with the potato harvest. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Shepherd.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a; Committee negatived.