HC Deb 20 July 1915 vol 73 cc1462-4
The CHAIRMAN

The hon. Member for North Somerset (Mr. King) has handed in a long table of Amendments, which are, so far as I can see, Amendments of the law, and, as it seems to me, quite contrary to the understanding on which this Bill was sent to a Committee.

Mr. KING

I will not trouble you or the Committee by moving these Amendments. I understand, however, that an amending Bill is under consideration. Therefore, if they have before them the points in which I am interested, they can consider them. I must take this opportunity, however, of raising very briefly a very big subject to which I have from time to time drawn attention by question in the House. For at least four years I have called attention frequently, by questions which I have put to the Secretary of State for India, to the position of ecclesiastical establishments there. They present, in my opinion, a very grave scandal.

The CHAIRMAN

I really must point out that this Bill obtained a Second Reading on the understanding that it was a Consolidation Bill. These Amendments are amendments of the existing law.

Mr. ROBERTS

It was stated in another place that an amending Bill was coming forward, and if the hon. Member would be good enough to send to the India Office a list of his Amendments and ask that they should be considered in relation to that amending Bill it may, perhaps, meet his point and secure the attention he desires.

Mr. KING

On a point of Order. You have allowed a distinguished ex-Indian official (Sir J. D. Rees) to raise repeatedly, on various Clauses, points which he admitted were questions for subsequent legislation in an amending Bill. Have I not the same right to suggest on one Clause of the Bill one or two points for the subsequent amending Bill? I appeal that I may be allowed to have the same privilege and right that has been allowed to the hon. Member.

The CHAIRMAN

He did not move any Amendments. The hon. Member for North Somerset (Mr. King) has, however, handed in a page of Amendments.

Mr. KING

I distinctly said that I did not intend to move those Amendments.

The CHAIRMAN

Then I will propose the Question, "That Clause 115 stand part of the Bill," otherwise there is no Question before the House.

Mr. KING

On that, may I point out that it is a very great pity that in treating a subject of this kind the whole of this Section has not been allowed to drop? The whole law might have been consolidated except in respect of this Section in regard to ecclesiastical establishments. These establishments represent a very great scandal. I have attempted in three successive years to address the House upon this subject in connection with the Indian Budget. I have not once had the opportunity in those three years of speaking a single word upon this subject, and now, apparently, I am not allowed to have two minutes. I can only say that I have always had the greatest courtesy and patience shown to me by the India Office on this subject, and I am very much surprised that I am not allowed to have the same on this occasion.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported without Amendment; read the third time, and passed.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

Whereupon Mr. SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 3rd February, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."

Question put, and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at Two minutes after Eleven o'clock.