§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Ronald McNeill)I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."
This is an annual Bill that comes before this Parliament merely as a matter 713 of formality, and it is usually passed without any discussion or debate, but in case any hon. Member is unfamiliar with this particular annual Bill, I will endeavour to explain what it is. The Isle of Man has its own Legislature and its own powers of taxation and it is specially provided in an old Act of Parliament that the Customs and Excise adopted by the Legislature in the Isle of Man is subject formally to confirmation by the Imperial Parliament. That is in this Bill which is presented as a formality.
§ Mr. KELLYWhile there has been some explanation of this Measure, I should like to know whether these particular Clauses in the way now presented to us have been before the Manx Legislature, and whether they have been before the two Houses of that place. I would also like to ask, with regard to Clause 15, whether it is usual, as a power handed to the Governor of that island, that if he thinks fit he may exempt any of these articles from the charges set down in this particular Measure? While asking this question, I have only one other thing to say, that I am surprised at the Members of the Manx Parliament, some of whom I know very well, if they have accepted comfortably and without criticism many of the impositions that will be imposed upon them by this particular Measure. It seems strange that they should accept for their own people what we have objected to in this House for our own people. I would like to know if the right hon. Gentleman can tell us whether there has been any opposition to many of these charges which will be imposed upon the Manx people by this Bill.
§ Mr. MCNEILLI am afraid I am not able to give the hon. Gentleman all the information he asks for. The Bill undoubtedly was passed by the Manx Legislature. I have not inquired, and I have no information as to whether it was passed with or without opposition. I did not think that it was any business of mine, nor, I would suggest, any business of this House, to inquire as to the amount of opposition which was encountered in the passage of this Bill. With regard to Clause 15, about which the hon. Gentleman asked for some information, I am afraid that I am not able to give him that information, because I did not think it necessary to 714 inform myself of any details with regard to this legislation, which, as I say, is quite formal. But I will endeavour to obtain for him the information for which he asks before the Bill comes into operation. I hope that will be satisfactory to him.