HC Deb 14 November 1917 vol 99 cc531-2

His Majesty may by Order in Council apply, with the necessary modifications and adaptations, in relation to the Air Council, the President of the Air Council, and the Air Force, and the officers and men thereof, and Air Force property or institutions, any of the enactments relating to the Army Council, the Secretary of State for the War Department, the Army, or the officers and soldiers thereof (including enactments conferring any powers, rights, exemption or abatement from taxation or immunities, or imposing any duties or disabilities on such officers or soldiers), or to military property or insti- tuitions, and every such Order in Council; shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament.

Mr. BILLING

I beg to move, at the end of the Clause, to insert the words " for confirmation before being enforced."

This is similar to an Amendment I moved previously. It seems to me to be rather useless to lay those Orders in Council before the Houses of Parliament if the matter is purely formal. If there is any meaning in doing so I think the House should have the right to say whether it approved or not.

Lord H. CECIL

This is purely a provision for making these Orders in Council known to Parliament. They are made for the information of Parliament and do not require confirmation. It would be a very cumbersome thing if it were necessary, to have an Act of Parliament to confirm such Orders. The only desire is that nothing should be done behind the back of Parliament, and the Orders are laid so that Members shall know what is being done and so that they may call attention to them by Resolution or by a Motion on the Estimates or by bringing them to the attention of the Minister concerned.

Mr. BILLING

Even after what the Noble Lord has said, it is not unreasonable to suggest that an Order in Council, before it is enforced, should be so placed before the House that an opportunity may be given to Members to take what action they think desirable by means of Resolution, or on the Adjournment of House?

Lord H. CECIL

That course would be inconvenient.

Amendment negatived.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.