§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWith regard to this Bill, I have had an opportunity of considering it carefully, and I am of opinion that it is a Bill which ought to commence in Committee of the Whole House. Its chief object is to transfer from the local authority to the central authority certain liabilities, and that should be done by Resolution in Committee. The Bill cannot proceed without that Resolution.
§ Mr. GINNELLOn the question of Order. This Bill does not propose to create any new powers or to impose any new or additional burden or to alter the incidence of any existing burden more 708 than is commonly done in the course of administration in Ireland. The nature, incidence, law, and practice of local loans in Ireland differ from those in this country. As the facts in relation to them cannot have been before you when you formed the opinion you have expressed, perhaps I may be allowed to explain the relation of this Bill to the rule against private Members introducing money Bills, and I hope in doing so to show that there is no relation at all.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have gone into this very carefully and I have had the assistance of the most skilled advisers and I am of opinion that this transfers certain liabilities, which are now imposed upon local authorities, on to the Land Commission.
The very fact of the transfer of these liabilities, which may arise at some future time or may arise immediately, is in itself a reason why there should, first of all, be a preliminary Resolution in Committee. I am afraid, however long the hon. Member argues his case, he would not convince me otherwise.
§ Mr. GINNELLMay I ask whether you were informed by the Irish Law Officers that the Estates Commissioners are accustomed in their daily operations to transfer liabilities from one fund to another precisely as this Bill proposes?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat may be, but this is a proposal to obtain the authority of Parliament to a transfer of that kind, and in order to obtain the authority of Parliament there must be a preliminary Resolution in Committee.
§ Mr. GINNELLThe Estates Commissioners are doing daily what this Bill proposes to do without the authority of Parliament. This Bill does not propose to give them any new power whatsoever. It proposes to apply their existing power to one specific class.
§ Mr. SPEAKERExactly. That is transferring this new power. Of course, if they have the power already, there is no necessity for the Bill.
§ Order discharged, Bill withdrawn.