§ MR. GEDGE (Walsall)I beg to ask the Attorney General whether the Order in Council made under the Land Transfer Act, 1897, on the 18th July last, and laid on the Table of the House on the 19th July last, will become valid after 40 days if no address disapproving of such Order be carried, in the event of Parliament being prorogued before the 40 days have elapsed, or will they begin again to run from the first day of next Session, as is the case with the Orders of the Council approving charitable schemes?
SIR R, WEBSTERSo far as the question is one of law, I am of opinion that under sub-section 9 of section 20 of the Land Transfer Act, which is worded differently from the sections in other Acts of Parliament relating to similar matters, the Order will become valid 10 days after 19th July, unless an address be carried within that time disapproving of such Order.
§ MR. GEDGEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government will, by starring it, enable me to move the Resolution of which I have given notice with regard to the Order of Council recently made under the Land Transfer Act, 1897?
THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J.BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I think my honourable Friend has a very strong case, and that the wording of the Bill leaves a great deal to be desired. I do not know who is responsible for it. I will give my honourable Friend an answer to his Question in the course of the evening.