HC Deb 08 November 1920 vol 134 cc894-6

(3) The Council may consider any questions which may appear in any way to bear on the welfare of both Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland, and may, by resolu- tion, make suggestions in relation thereto as they may think proper, but suggestions so made shall have no legislative effect, and in particular it shall be the duty of the Council of Ireland forthwith after the constitution thereof to consider what Irish services ought in the common interest to be administered by a body having jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland, and what reserved services which are transferable on the passing of identical Acts ought to be so transferred, and to make recommendations to the Parliaments of Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland as to the advisability of passing identical Acts delegating to the Council of Ireland the administration of any such Irish services, with a view to avoiding the necessity of administering them separately in Southern Ireland or Northern Ireland, and providing for the transfer of any such reserved services at the earliest possible date.

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

I beg to move, in Sub-section (3), to leave out, the word "forthwith" ["it shall be the duty of the Council of Ireland forthwith"] and to insert instead thereof the words "as soon as may be."

The Bill provides that the Irish Council shall take into consideration forthwith certain plans for the unification of Irish Servcies, and I move to leave out the word "forthwith" and to put in the words "as soon as may be," because there is another duty devolving upon the Irish Council which ought to have priority.

Sir F. BANBURY

I should like to ask a questoin or two. I do not see very much difference between "forthwith" and "as soon as may be," but I should like to know what is this other duty which is more important than the duty mentioned in this Clause. My right hon. Friend said that there was another duty, but he did not say what it was.

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

Second Chambers.

Sir F. BANBURY

That is what I thought, and that happens to be rather a large question. It may be that when we come to the proposal that the Council of Ireland shall set up Second Chambers—instead of this House setting up Second Chambers—then these words will be useless. I would suggest that this Amendment should be withdrawn, leaving the word "forthwith" to stand, and if subsequently, on our dealing with the later Clause, it is decided to set up Second Chambers, then on the Report stage—and I understand the Government have not had a Report stage yet—the word "forthwith" can be left out, and "as soon as may be" inserted. That would be a far better way of doing what is desired.

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

My right hon. Friend has realised that this Amendment is really nothing but a drafting Amendment. I purposely did not open the question of the Second Chambers because there is a new Clause which we shall have to discuss at length. I only wish that the word "forthwith" should be left out of the Sub-section and "as soon as may be" inserted. If the House passes the new Clause relating to Second Chambers—it will be for the consideration of the House or Committee as to whether they do or do not pass it— if they do, these words will have to go. I suggest my right hon. Friend might as well let this Amendment go forward and discuss the main thing in its proper place.

Sir F. BANBURY

Very well.

Amendment agreed to.

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