HC Deb 25 July 1918 vol 108 c2152

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Lords Amendment be now considered."

Mr. BOOTH

On the general question, I rise to suggest that on this Motion the Minister in charge of the Bill, the President of the Local Government Board, should make some general statement as to the Amendments. I think it would facilitate business.

The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)

There is only one Amendment which has been moved in another place to this Bill. It is to insert the words "in Great Britain, and before the 15th day of March, 1919, in Ireland." That Amendment was inserted in order to meet the case of Belfast. On the 1st day of March was originally to apply to Ireland, but the Belfast local election takes place on the second Tuesday in March, and I believe it is far more convenient that the date of the election there should be altered. The alteration of date does not affect any other local election in Ireland, and I think there is no opposition to the inclusion of this Amendment.

Question put, and agreed to.

Lords Amendment considered accordingly.