HC Deb 04 July 1917 vol 95 cc1255-6
Mr. MACPHERSON

I beg to move, "That the Lords Amendments be considered forthwith."

Mr. GULLAND

This is the first we have heard of those Amendments, and we do not know what they are. I think a Bill of that importance should appear on the Paper. We have not the vaguest idea of what are the Amendments.

Mr. MACPHERSON

I think I can assure my right hon. Friend that these are purely drafting Amendments which come from the other House. As the House knows very well, we got the Third Reading without a Division, and I did a good deal to meet hon. Members below the Gangway.

Mr. GULLAND

I am not going to object, but I think it would lend to the smooth working of business if the hon. Gentleman in these cases would communicate with this Bench, or with those Members who are interested in the Bill. It is scarcely fair that no notice has been given to bring up the subject at half-past eleven.

Mr. MACPHERSON

I will explain what the Amendments are, and if the right hon. Gentleman is not satisfied I will not persist. The first Amendment is simply this: Clause 1 provides that "His Majesty may by Order in Council signify that he has made a convention." The Amendment is to leave out "has made a convention," and to insert instead thereof "a convention has been made." The second Amendment comes at the end of Clause 2, and is a new Subsection, as follows: "For the purposes of this Act the expression convention includes an agreement."

Mr. TREVELYAN

Is there no difference of opinion between the two Houses?

Mr. MACPHERSON

No; they are simply drafting Amendments for the purpose of clearness of expression.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

It has no relation to Ireland?

Mr. MACPHERSON

None whatever.

Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 12th February, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."

Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-nine minutes after Eleven o'clock.