HC Deb 27 November 1917 vol 99 cc1943-5

If the Controller of Coal Mines determines the said agreement, the agreement shall have effect in respect of any part of an accounting period which may have elapsed at the time of the determination thereof, and if a new agreement in substitution therefor is made, such new agreement shall, as soon as may be, be laid before Parliament, and unless within thirty days from the time when such new agreement is laid before Parliament either House of Parliament presents an address to His Majesty against the confirmation thereof, the new agreement shall be confirmed and this Act shall have effect as if such new agreement was set forth in the Schedule to this Act in lieu of the original agreement.

The DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN

The first Amendment standing in the name of the hon. Member for Glasgow (Mr. Wa Lt} to leave out the words "the Controller of Coal Mines determines," and to insert the words, "the parties to the agreement determine" involves an alteration in the agreement, and is out of order.

Mr. WATT

I am quite aware that in the agreement the Coal Controller has the power to terminate the agreement; but, if my Amendment is accepted, the Coal Controller must have the assent of the other parties to the agreement before he can get the advantage of Clause 2, namely, to have the accounting period reckoned in a certain way, and to have a new agreement entered into. I submit that that Amendment is in order

Mr. PRINGLE

This Amendment does not infringe the right of the Coal Controller to put an end to the agreement, but it does require that, in order to get the advantage of Clause 2, the agreement must be terminated by all the parties concerned. I submit respectfully that that does not affect the rights of the Controller to determine the agreement, but only affects certain contingencies enacted in Clause 2 which are quite independent of the agreement.

Sir G. HEWART

Perhaps it would shorten matters if I say that we propose t) accept the Amendment standing in the name of my hon. and learned Friend (Mr Roch) which will have the effect of bringing this Clause to an end at the word " thereof." Therefore the kind of contingency referred to will not arise.

Mr. WATT

Then I do not need to move my Amendment.

Mr. ROCH

I beg to move, to leave out the words " and if a new agreement in substitution there for is made, such new agreement shall, as soon as may be, be laid before Parliament, and unless within thirty days from the time when such new agreement is laid before Parliament either House of Parliament presents an address to His Majesty against the confirmation thereof, the new agreement shall be confirmed and this Act shall have effect as if such new agreement was set forth in the Schedule to this Act in lieu of the original agreement."

As I understand that the Solicitor-General is going to accept this Amendment I will content myself by merely moving it.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion made, and Question proposed, " That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

Sir J. WALTON

I rose to move, to leave out the Clause. However, I shall content myself by moving, when we come to the Schedule, "That the Schedule be referred back for further consideration." and not detain the Committee over Clause 2.

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.