§ 5.23 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee read.
L ORD HAWKEMy Lords, before: this stage of the Bill is finally disposed of, I felt I owed a duty to the House to explain that I have, by consultations in which he participated, explored the question raised on the Second Reading by the noble Lord, Lord Balfour of Inchrye, as to whether it was right that in the event of there being any dispute between owners and seamen as to whether or not engine rooms were sufficiently light and airy to earn the benefits of the new Bill, the final court of appeal should be the Minister. After going into the matter thoroughly, I think my noble friend was convinced that in fact there is no higher and more competent tribunal to go to, and that the owners and the mariners themselves would not wish for any change. I beg to move that the House do now resolve itself into Committee on this Bill.
§ Moved, That the House do now resolve itself into Committee on the said Bill.—(Lord Hawke).
§ On Question, Motion agreed to: House in Committee accordingly.
§ Bill reported without amendment.