Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 1 Awst 1924.
We shall not press for more than the Second Reading to-day. We are the victims of circumstances. We only received the Bill last night, and we were very anxious that its stages should be completed before the Houses rises, because, following upon this, it will be necessary to revise and consolidate the Regulations. It is most desirable, indeed essential, that these should begin to operate on 1st January of next year, and that would not be possible if we held over the consideration of the Bill until the Autumn. I am sorry that the Bill has not been printed, but it is purely a Consolidation Bill, and in no way amends the law.