§ 3.44 p.m.
§ The Lord ChancellorMy Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. The Bill is the first of two linked consolidation Bills on the Order Paper in my name. Perhaps the House will allow me to speak to them both together and then to move the second Bill formally.
The Merchant Shipping Bill consolidates some 30 Acts or sections of Acts dating back to the consolidating Act of 1894. The Shipping and Trading Interests 583 (Protection) Bill is a discrete topic derived from parts of two of them. The 1894 Act contained over 740 sections and 21 schedules. Many of its provisions have been repealed over recent years, and the details of many other provisions of the old Merchant Shipping Acts are now covered by regulations. The new Merchant Shipping Bill is about half the length of its predecessor, and will give effect to a welcome rationalisation of the present law. Therefore, we are moving in the direction to which the noble Lord, Lord Irvine, referred.
I take this opportunity of thanking the draftsman for continuing this important consolidation work. If your Lordships are content to give these Bills a Second Reading, they will be referred in the usual way to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ Lord GreenwayMy Lords, I welcome the two Bills which arise from the report of the joint working party, published some years ago. In a way it is rather sad that time was not found last year for the measures. It would have been the 100th anniversary of the 1894 Act.
Perhaps I may make one observation in qualifying my welcome; it is rather a sad observation. In 1894, our merchant fleet was the largest in the world and it remained so until about 25 years ago. It is sad to note today that it has shrunk to its present rather low rating.
It was a delight to meet the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor aboard the very fine latest addition to our fleet, the "Oriana". Therefore, I believe that it is extremely appropriate that the noble and learned Lord should be moving today the Second Reading of the two Bills.
§ The Lord ChancellorMy Lords, I am grateful for those observations. Of course, I am sorry that the Bill was not brought forward 100 years after the last consolidation measure but I am sure that the noble Lord will appreciate that those are difficulties that one must face from time to time. I agree that we should be happier if our merchant navy today were bigger than it is. It is great in quality but we should all be happier to see it greater in numbers.
§ On Question, Bill read a second time, and referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.