There is on the Order Paper, page 237, a Moneylenders Bill down for Second reading. It is a Private Deputy's Bill.
Moneylenders (No. 2) Bill, 1933—First Stage.
Leave granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the law with respect to persons carrying on business as moneylenders.—(Minister for Justice.)
May I ask leave from the House to withdraw this Bill?
Moved that the Order for Second Stage be discharged.
In view of the fact that the Bill referred to is being withdrawn, is it the intention of the Minister to inform the House if this Bill is an identical Bill which has been sponsored by the Government? Before the Deputy is allowed to withdraw his Bill, perhaps the Minister responsible for No. 1, would inform the House what is the nature of it.
It is not exactly identical but it is something on the same lines.
Am I correct in believing that the Bill originally introduced by private members went before a Special Committee and the Special Committee dealt with it in a certain way and it was to come back to us for further consideration? Am I to understand that the introduction of Bill No. 2 results from the fact that the Government did not like the Bill as it came back from the Committee? Does it mean that the Committee suggested that all the moneylenders should learn Irish?
Might we agree that the first Bill would not be withdrawn until the Bill now before the House has been circulated so that Deputies might have both Bills before them?
That course might be followed.
Is not this a new procedure? I understood that when a Private Bill, introduced by a private member, came to the Second Stage, it was usually taken over by the Government and put through as a Government measure.
I understand that that is substantially what has been done.
We are told by the Minister that it is substantially the same Bill, but surely we ought to be told more than that.
I have no objection to letting the other Bill stand until this Bill has been circulated.
Second Stage ordered for 28th June, 1933.
I think it is the first business of private members now.
I am sure the House will agree not to have the Bill taken in view of the fact that the Government Bill is on the Order Paper.