HC Deb 19 December 1919 vol 123 cc959-60

Lords Amendment: Insert following new Sub-section: 5. Any scheme under this section may provide for the payment as part of the expenses of the agricultural committee of travelling expenses and subsistence allowance of members of the committee or of any sub-committee of the committee

Mr. SPEAKER

This is a privilege Amendment, because it imposes a charge upon the rates.

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

I am aware that this is a privilege Amendment, but I move that we waive our privilege and agree with the Lords Amendment. I may say, perhaps, in explanation that this Amendment will enable the travelling expenses and subsistence allowances of members of county agricultural committee to be paid out of the rates. An Amendment to this effect was moved in Committee. I was not in a position to accept it there, but. I undertook that I would consider the matter before Report. Between Committee and Report an arrangement was made with the Ministry of Health and also with the various Members interested in the question that an Amendment on these lines should be inserted, but I was unable to insert it on Report, because it is beyond our power on the Report stage of a Bill to insert a financial Amendment. This Amendment, therefore, has now been inserted in another place. Although technically it does invade the privilege of this House, inasmuch as it is an Amendment agreed to by all parties I move that we agree with the Lords Amendment and waive our privilege.

Mr. SPEAKER

A special entry will be made.