§ Ordered, That the Order of the House (8th March), That in the case of Bills reported from the Committee on Police and Sanitary Regulations three clear days shall intervene between the date when the Report of the Committee is circulated with the Votes and the Consideration of the Bill, be suspended in the case of the Sheffield Corporation Bill [Lords].
§ Ordered, That Standing Orders 84, 214, 215, and 239 be suspended, and that the Bill be row taken into consideration, provided amended prints shall have been previously deposited.—(Mr. Caldwell.)
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE (Wiltshire, Cricklade)explained the action of the Committee on Police and Sanitary 9 Regulations Bills in striking out the clause empowering the corporation to contribute to rifle ranges. He said the reason why they did so was because the proposal was not germane to the ordinary work of the Committee, all the more so as there was not unnatural jealousy in regard to the increasing sphere of work which that Committee was gradually undertaking. It now not only dealt with police and sanitary matters, but it also dealt with Acts containing gas, electric, tram, and other schemes. In dealing with such matters, they had had the courage of their opinions, but when they were asked to intervene in a matter relating to the defence of this country, they felt that in doing so they would be trespassing too much on the confidence of the House. They were also aware that there was before Parliament a Bill relating to military lands, and in view of that fact they decided that they ought not to take what was of the nature of a final decision on a matter which was before the House in a public Bill. They therefore struck out this clause. It had, however, since been explained that this particular matter was not exactly covered by the Military Lands Bill, and the Committee therefore would otter no opposition to the reinsertion of the clause if the House should think fit. Under these circumstances he did not oppose the Suspension of Standing Orders.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now considered."
§ *MR. STUART-WORTLEY (Sheffield, Hallam)said the statement of the noble Lord relieved him of a good deal of anxiety, because in moving the reinsertion of the clause he would have laboured under very great difficulties had he had to face the opposition of the Committee on Police and Sanitary Regulations Bills. He need now only move the resolution standing in his name.
§
Amendment proposed—
To leave out the words 'now considered,' and add the words 'recommitted to a Committee of the whole House in respect of a new clause (Power to contribute to rifle ranges)."—(Mr. Stuart-Wortley.)
§ Question, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question," put, and negatived.
§ Words added.
10§ Main Question, as amended, put, and agreed to.
§ Ordered, That the Bill be recommitted to a Committee of the whole House in respect of a new clause (Power to contribute to rifle ranges).
§ Bill considered in Committee, and reported; as amended, considered.
§ Ordered, That Standing Orders 223 and 243 be suspended, and that the Bill be now read the third time.—(Mr. Caldwell.)
§ Bill accordingly read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.