HC Deb 29 April 1892 vol 3 cc1718-20

COMMITTEE. [Progress 12th April.]

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Schedule 2.

Amendment proposed, in page 74, after line 9, insert—

The Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Acts, 1854 to 1860.

17 and 18 Vic, c. 80.

The Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act, 1854.

18 and 19 Vic, c. 29.

The Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act, 1855.

23 and 24 Vic, e. 85.

The Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act, 1860.—(The Attorney General, Sir B. Webster, Isle of Wight.)

(9.20.) DR. TANNER

I think we ought to have some explanation of this matter. It is not enough that an Amendment of this kind should be moved by a simple nod of the head.

* SIR R. WEBSTER

Perhaps the hon. Member has forgotten that this second Schedule was intended merely to give a short title to a certain class of Acts. Instead of using the full titles of seven or eight lines, the Acts can be cited in a few words; but I would remind the hon. Member that if he prefers to use the long titles he may do so.

DR. TANNER

Not being a lawyer, I shall suffer no inconvenience in the matter, and I think it is hardly proper or dignified for one of the first Law Officers of the Crown to indulge in these silly and trivial remarks.

Amendment agreed to.

On Motion of Sir R. WEBSTER, the following Amendments were agreed to:—In page 77, leave out lines 2 to 7; page 89, after line 15, insert—

The Police (Scotland) Acts, 1857 to 1890.

20 and 21 Vic, c. 72.

The Police (Scotland) Act, 1857.

21 and 22 Vic, c. 65.

The Police (Scotland) Act, 1858.

53 and 54 Vic, c. 67.

The Police (Scotland) Act, 1890.

*(9.24.) SIR R. WEBSTER

I beg to move, in page 90, line 40, to leave out "banks," and insert "bank."

DR. TANNER

There are so many of these Bills that it seems impossible that they can all be considered under one short title. That arises from the extraordinary way in which the Bill has been drafted, and there is one part of this particular portion of the Bill with which we are now dealing that does not seem to read correctly.

* SIR R. WEBSTER

The words Post Office Savings Bank, 1874, should read Post Office Savings Bank Act, 1874.

DR. TANNER

I accept the explanation.

Amendment agreed to.

*SIR R. WEBSTER moved to omit the 3rd Schedule.

(9.26.) MR. SAMUEL EVANS (Glamorgan, Mid)

It seems to me that the effect of this Schedule is to repeal several Acts of Parliament.

* SIR R. WEBSTER

This Amendment is consequent on the striking out of Clause 2 of the Bill, with the object of making it a permissive measure.

MR. SAMUEL EVANS

I am obliged for the explanation, but I do not see why we should repeal Acts recently passed.

* SIR R. WEBSTER

There are no Acts repealed by this Bill. There was a proposition of that kind, but it has been removed.

MR. SAMUEL EVANS

I am not quite sure that this House would be less usefully occupied if, instead of proposing new legislation, it set itself to repeal old Acts; but it strikes me as a little peculiar that we should repeal Acts which were passed so recently as last Session.

(9.28.) MR. KNOX (Cavan, W.)

I think the Act will lose very materially by leaving out the 2nd clause, and I apprehend that it will be possible to amend this on the Report stage.

(9.29.) THE CHAIRMAN

On the Report stage it would be competent for the hon. Member to propose any Amendment he likes of the kind he indicates; but we cannot do now something which would undo what the Committee has already done. The Committee must be consistent.

Schedule agreed to.

Bill reported, with Amendments; as amended, to be considered upon Monday next.