§ Considered in Committee under Standing Order No. 69.—(King's Recommendation signified.)
§ [Major MILNER in the Chair]
§
Motion made and Question proposed:
That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to extend the period during which payments may be made under the Agriculture Act, 1937, in connection with the eradication of bovine tuberculosis and to amend the Horse Breeding Act, 1918 it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of any increase attributable to the said Act of the present Session in the sums to be paid there nut to defray expenses of the Secretary of State under the Horse Breeding Act, 1918.—[Mr. Joseph Henderson.]
§ 2.1 p.m.
§ Earl Winterton (Horsham)I am well aware that this is not an opposed Measure, but it is slightly unusual, even in the case 757 of an unopposed Measure, for no responsible Minister to be here. Perhaps the Home Secretary is responsible for it? It is usual for the Financial Secretary to the treasury of the Minister of Agriculture to be here. Even in the case of an unopposed Measure, the Committee expects the Minister to be present to answer any questions which may be put. I did not intend to he rude to the Home Secretary.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)Oh no. I apologise to the Committee that one of my hon Friends is not here as the last Business ended a little earlier than was expected. We hoped my hon. Friend would be here, and we are trying to find him. He has now arrived, so I thank the noble Lord for giving us the opportunity of producing him.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. George Brown)I apologise to the Committee. I had gone out of the Chamber to make quite sure that I knew what we were doing about this. In view of that, I hope the Committee will accept my apology.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Resolution reported forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order 69, and agreed to.