HC Deb 13 December 1926 vol 200 cc2703-4

Lords Amendment: In line 16, after the word "transport," insert the word "agriculture."

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Douglas Hogg)

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

This is an Amendment which I do not think materially alters the Bill. It is only to put in agriculture as one of the interests to be consulted in nominating the Board. We thought it was included in the term "industry," but we are content to have it expressed.

Lords Amendment: In page 1, line 25, leave out the words "which he may hold for his own benefit," and insert "in which he may be beneficially interested."

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

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

I do not think we can accept the Amendment in the form in which it has been put in in another place, as the effect would be that any shares in which anybody was beneficially interested must be sold, although perhaps he would be unable to sell them because he might only have an interest under a marriage settlement or something of that kind, but I think we can meet the object of the Amendment by disagreeing with it and substituting, after the word "hold" in line 26, the words "in his own name or in the name of a nominee."

Amendment made, in lieu of Lords Amendment: In line 26, after the word "hold," insert the words "in his own name or in the name of a nominee."—[The Attorney-General.]

Lords Amendment: In page 2, line 19, after the word "mortmain," insert and shall have power to regulate their own procedure: Provided that the quorum of the Board shall not be less than one-third of the full number of the Board.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

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

It makes clear that the Board can regulate its own procedure, but ensures that there shall be a reasonable quorum for the transaction of the Board's business.

Lords Amendment: In page 3, line 8, at the end, insert new Sub-section— (11) Where the chairman or other member of the Board becomes disqualified for holding office or is absent from the meetings of the Board for more than six months consecutively, except for some reason approved by the Minister of Transport or fails to comply with the foregoing provisions of this Section, the Minister of Transport shall forthwith declare the office to be vacant, and shall notify the fact in such manner as he thinks fit, and thereupon the office shah become vacant.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

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

This Amendment really speaks for itself, and I think we ought to accept it, but I suggest that it would come in more properly at the end of line 17, on page 2.

Amendment made in lieu of Lords Amendment.: In page 2, line 17, at the end, insert new Sub-section— (11) Where the chairman or other member of the Board becomes disqualified for holding office or is absent from the meetings of the Board for more than six months consecutively, except for some reason approved by the Minister of Transport or fails to comply with the foregoing provisions of this Section, the Minister of Transport shall forthwith declare the office to be vacant, and shall notify the fact in such manner as he thinks lit, and thereupon the office shall become vacant."—[The Attorney-General.]