§ Order read for resuming Adjourned Debate on Amendment proposed [16th November] on Consideration of Bill, as amended (in the Standing Committee).
§ Which Amendment was: In page 27, line 11, to leave out Clause 31 (Issue of search warrants).—[Sir Patrick Hastings.]
§ Question again proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out, down to the word 'information,' in line 11, stand part of the Bill."
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)If I might make an announcement it would possibly save hon. Members proceeding with this matter. I have discussed Clause 31 with the right hon. Gentleman on the Front Bench opposite. I realise, of course, that the Clause is a very contentious Clause. At the same time, I think that all parties in the House are anxious that the Bill itself should not be imperilled by a contest over this Clause. That being so, I propose, with the assent of the House, to withdraw the Clause altogether. The Bill is of such importance that, as I said when I was speaking upon it a couple of days ago, this course is desirable. But it is not a political Bill. It is not meant to be a political Bill. On the other hand, if there was any idea that there was any unfair political implication in this Clause, or that it could be used for that purpose, I want to make it perfectly clear that that is not so.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI was not, of course, speaking of the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I, therefore, propose to ask the House for leave to withdraw the Clause, and I appeal to the House to pass the rest of the Bill without much further discussion.
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman cannot withdraw the Clause. The Question has been put, "That the words proposed to be left out down to the word 'information' in line 11, stand part of the Bill." That will 800 have to be negatived, then it will be necessary to move to leave out tie remainder of the Clause.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, Sir.
§ Question, "That the words proposed to be left out, down to the word ' information in line 11, stand part of the Bill," put, and negatived.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the remaining words of the Clause stand part of the Bill."— [Sir W. Joynson-Hicks.]
§ Captain BENNIs it usual on the Report stage, if a Clause is to be left out, that the Motion should be made for the Clause to be left out before Amendments are considered?
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERAs a matter of fact it is not strictly necessary after the first words have gone.
§ Captain BENNThat was not the question that you had put from the Chair.
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERThe question I put was, "That the remaining words of the Clause stand part of the Bill."
§ Captain BENNI think I rose in time to make my point.
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentlemen will be able to make the point he is anxious to make on the Third Reading of the Bill.
§ Captain BENNOn a point of Order. Did I not hear you put the Question that the remaining words be left out? I did not hear the voices collected.
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERIt was not necessary that I should do so. Perhaps I was in error in putting it at all.
§ Remaining words of the Clause left out.
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cc800-1
- CLAUSE 35.—(Amendment of ss. 1 and 18 of Forgery Act, 1913.) 26 words cc801-31
- CLAUSE 39.— [Penalty for drunkenness while in charge of motor car and for reckless driving.] 13,282 words, 2 divisions cc831-53
- CLAUSE 40. — (Prohibition on taking photographs, etc., in Court.) 8,698 words, 1 division cc853-68
- CLAUSE 42.—(Power of arrest under warrant.) 6,036 words, 1 division cc868-82
- CLAUSE 44.—(Abolition of presumption of coercion of married woman by husband.) 5,460 words