HC Deb 29 June 1915 vol 72 cc1778-9

(1) This Act shall apply to Scotland with the substitution of references to Scotland and to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland for references to England and Wales and to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, except that an order affecting any local authority in Scotland shall require the concurrence of the Secretary for Scotland.

(2) This Act shall apply to Ireland with the substitution of references to Ireland and to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland for the references to England and Wales and to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Mr. WATT

I beg to move, in Sub-section (1), to leave out the words, "except that an order affecting any local authority in Scotland shall require the concurrence of the Secretary for Scotland."

Mr. ACLAND

I accept this Amendment.

Mr. HOGGE

May we know the reason why my right hon. Friend has so readily accepted the Amendment of my hon. Friend, whose suggestions are not so frequently accepted with such readiness by that Bench?

Mr. ACLAND

I can only suggest it was the personal charm of the hon. Member in communicating with the Secretary for Scotland. God forbid that I should step into these Scottish matters! I had a certain experience of them when I happened to be Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and I am very glad to have escaped The hon. Member who moved the Amendment has been in close and intimate consultation with the Secretary for Scotland. At any rate he has received from the Secretary for Scotland an assurance that his wishes in the matter can be carried out for the good of the country which they both represent.

Question, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause," put, and negatived.

Clause, as amended, added to the Bill.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be reported."

Sir F. BANBURY

I think we ought to have the Report to-morrow. My hon. Friend (Sir J. Spear) is not here.

Mr. ACLAND

The hon. Gentleman has been very ably represented by the hon. Baronet. I think I can reassure the hon. Gentleman, whose views I know very well, in a formal letter from the Board on the matter which he has in mind.

Sir F. BANBURY

I hope the right hon. Gentleman will deal lightly with me in his report on the occurrences of this evening.

Mr. ACLAND

I will do the best I can.

Bill reported.

As amended, considered; read the third time, and passed.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.