§ MR. PAULI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether as the Fatal Accidents Inquiry (Scotland) Bill is not a contentious measure, as it has passed through the Standing Committee on Law, and as it affects the whole industrial population of Scotland, the Government will give an opportunity for passing it, either before the Adjournment or during the Autumn Sitting? I also desire to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the Bill was supported in the Grand Committee by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for St. Andrew's University, and also by the late Under Secretary of State for the Home Department?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI answered this question yesterday, when I gave, as a reason for not including that measure in the list of Bills which we hope to be able to pass, that I was informed that alterations had been made in the Bill which rendered it controversial. I have no personal knowledge of this matter, but I obtained all the information I could on the subject.
§ MR. PAULMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that I moved in Committee an Amendment in favour of holding inquiries before a jury as well as before the Sheriff, and that I withdrew the Amendment because I was assured by the Representatives of the Government that that would make the measure controversial and prevent it passing?
§ MR. HENEAGE (Great Grimsby)I desire to ask whether the House is to take the list of measures announced by 666 the Chancellor of the Exchequer as the definite and final list?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI do not propose to add any other measures to that list. I got the fullest information I could upon the subject of the Bill, and I have given the House the result.
§ MR. PAULWill the Government not consider the possibility of taking the Bill in the Autumn Session?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI do not think I can add to the answer I gave.