§ Considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ [Mr. EMMOTT (Oldham) in the Chair.]
§ Clause 1:—
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.said he thought that he ought to express to the House his regret that he was not present yesterday when this Bill was considered. It was in the nature of an accident, and was not due to any cause preventable by himself. He confessed that he had been placed somewhat off his guard, because he thought this measure was considered uncontroversial, no point having been brought to his notice to which exception was taken. When he introduced this Bill to the House he laid stress on the fact that a Bill to invest the South African War Stores Commission with statutory powers was allowed to go through practically unopposed, and if there was not an absolute condition there was at any rate an implied condition that the present Opposition would deal with this Bill as the late Opposition dealt with the War Stores Commission Bill. The right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Birmingham made some criticisms upon this measure last night, but he was not in his place now, and therefore he assumed that he did not think the point worth pressing. If the Indemnity Clause had been in the Bill no doubt the hon. Member for Blackpool would have at once told him that under it they were proposing to shelter infamous proceedings.
§ MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)said that the right hon. Gentleman had quite misunderstood his intention.
§ MR. GLADSTONEsaid he was sorry if he had misunderstood the hon. Member, but he was afraid he had given him ample opportunity for doing so. If hon. Gentlemen desired to see the Indemnity Clause in the present Bill the Government had no objection.
§ SIR E. CARSON (Dublin University)said he had put down an Amendment with a view to asking a Question, but if the right hon. Gentleman was going to insert the Indemnity Clause he would not take up any more time.
§ Clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.
§ SIR E. CARSONthen moved the following new clause—
The Commissioners shall have the same power, and be under obligation to grant certificates of indemnity to witnesses as is contained in the 5 Edward 7, c. 7, s. 2."—(Sir E. Carson).
§ Question proposed, "That this clause be now read a second time."
§ MR. ASQUITHsuggested that it would be more convenient to have the exact words of the Indemnity Clause with the omission of the words "Including proceedings by court-martial."
§ SIR E. CARSONsaid he would accept the suggestion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and asked leave to withdraw his Motion.
§ Motion by leave, withdrawn.
§ A new Clause, in the form suggested by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was read a second time, and added to the Bill.
§ Bill reported.
§ MR. GLADSTONEexpressed the hope that the Bill would be allowed to pass through the Report stage now.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI entirely endorse that appeal. I do not know whether it would be in Order now to read the Bill a third time also, but if it is, I think it should be done.
§ *MR. SPEAKERBy the general agreement of the House I think it can be done.
§ Bill, as amended, considered; read the third time, and passed.