HC Deb 15 August 1913 vol 56 cc3309-11

"Every Insurance Committee constituted or to be constituted under Section fifty-nine, Sub-section (1) of the principal Act shall be a body corporate by the name of the Insurance Committee for the borough (or county) of [...], and every such Insurance Committee may, by such name respectively, have perpetual succession and a common seal and shall sue and be sued, and (subject to the consent in every case of the Insurance Commissioners) have power and authority (without any licence in mortmain) to take, purchase, and hold land for the purposes of the principal Act and this Act."

Clause brought up, and read the first time.

Mr. ALDEN

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a second time."

The object is to meet the case where the Insurance Committees have had to obtain conveyances and things of that kind. It gives incorporation to these committees. I shall alter the Amendment as it is on the Paper by substituting the word "may" for the word "shall," after the words "and every such Insurance Committee."

Mr. MASTERMAN

This has been found necessary in the working of the committees. It will allow the committees to act as incorporated bodies instead of leaving the responsibility upon the chairman alone.

Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the incorporation of these committees would make any difference in the power of the committee, or of this House to vary their constitution? I do not know whether, if this were passed in its present form, it would put a difficulty in any way of altering the constitution of these committees in the future.

Mr. MASTERMAN

It will not affect that matter. That is absolutely under the regulations of the Act as it stands.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause added to the Bill.

The CHAIRMAN

The Amendment in the name of the hon. Member for Leicester (Mr. Ramsay Macdonald) is out of order.

Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALD

Do I understand that it is outside the scope of the Bill?

The CHAIRMAN

Yes, it is outside the scope of the Bill. I call upon the hon. Member for Tottenham.

Mr. ALDEN

On behalf of Dr. Addison, I have to say that he desires to withdraw this proposal. [Wife to be Competent Witness in Proceedings under Section 19 of Principal Act.]

The CHAIRMAN

There is an Amendment in the name of the Member for St. Pancras West (Mr. Cassel). I have notice from him that he desires it to stand over, and to come on at the end.

Mr. ALDEN

Have we passed over the Amendment of Mr. Cassel?—[Removal of Disability of Metropolitan. Asylums Board under Sections 16 and 64 of Principal Act.]

The CHAIRMAN

The hon. Member sent me notice that he was detained, and that he would like it to come on at the end of the Clauses.

Mr. ALDEN

I take it we have an assurance that this important question will be dealt with.

The CHAIRMAN

The Amendment simply goes, from the position in which it is now, down to the end of the Clauses.

Mr. ASTOR

Would it not be possible to discuss the Amendment now?

The CHAIRMAN

I do not think so. I will take notice to transfer the Amendments relating to it as well as the new Clause so as to save Members trouble.

Mr. DICKINSON

Would it not be possible to have this new Clause put down for to-morrow?

The CHAIRMAN

I am afraid it must go light down to the end.