§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ 3.45 p.m.
§ The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Gordon-Walker)I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."
This is really a Canadian Bill, or rather a Canadian Act, because it has been passed by both Houses of the Canadian Parliament, and it comes before us as a matter of constitutional convenience. It would therefore be quite improper for me to go into the merits of the Bill on either side, and I will only explain in a word or two the reason it has come before us.
The effect of the British North America Acts, 1867 to 1949, is that the Canadian Parliament can amend the Constitution of Canada, save in matters which are the exclusive concern of the Provinces; that is, of course, by the will of Canada. Anything to do with old age pensions falls exclusively to the Provinces, and therefore in that respect the Canadian Constitution cannot be amended by the Canadian Parliament. The Federal and Provincial Governments in Canada have come to an agreement by which the Federal Parliament shall be given power to legislate in regard to old age pensions, and therefore they wish the British North America Act, 1867, to be amended to enable them to deal with old age pensions.
The Canadian Parliament presented an Address to His Majesty praying that an Act to this effect should be passed by Parliament here, and the Canadian Parliament have been informed that the King is pleased to approve their petition. The Canadian Government have pointed out that they would be glad if this Measure could be passed with great speed, for domestic reasons, and I hope that, with the consent of all parties concerned in both Houses, the Bill may become law by Thursday. I should like to say that the Government here and the Canadian Government hope that this Bill can be passed with very great speed.
§ Mr. Eden (Warwick and Leamington)The Secretary of State has given a very clear account of the reasons for this Bill to amend constitutional practice and 226 precedent, and we would naturally like to meet the wishes of the Canadian Parliament and facilitate the early passage of this Bill.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read a Second time.
§ Committed to a Committee of the whole House.—[Mr. R. J. Taylor.]
§ Bill immediately considered in Committee; reported, without Amendment; read the Third time, and passed.