§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Oliver Stanley)I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."
As hon. Members know, the machinery of the Northern Ireland Government was set up under the Act of 1920, and when we take into account the extraordinary difficulty of the circumstances of the time, and the speed with which the change over had to be made, I think it is a matter of congratulation that the change was accomplished with so little trouble. But it was inevitable that in the course of years certain defects in the machinery would appear, and once already, in 1928, we passed an Act similar to this one to remedy mistakes. In the intervening period certain other points of detail have arisen which necessitates the passage of this Bill. This Measure contains no general principle which is suitable for discussion in a Second Reading Debate. It is a series of quite unrelated amendments of existing machinery, dealing with quite varying branches of Government activity in Northern Ireland. Although I can speak again only by leave of the House, I shall be glad to give any information which hon. Members desire, but in view of the highly technical character of the Bill it would probably be more suitable to give such information on, the Committee stage.
Among the provisions of this Bill is one to enable the Northern Ireland Parliament to refer certain branches of cases about which they are entitled to legislate to the Supreme Court, the High Court or a Court of Assize, as may be necessary. The Supreme Court is a reserved subject, and the Clause makes it clear that they have power to confer the necessary jurisdiction. There is a provision for extending the reciprocity which now exists between Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Pensions Act to possible future co-operation between Northern Ireland and other parts of His Majesty's Dominions. There is a, provision which makes it possible to appoint a judge of 1447 the Supreme Court as one of the Land Purchase Commissioners, a provision which is necessary owing to the recent appointment of the Judicial Commissioner to the office of the judge of the Supreme Court, and in the interests both of economy and of efficiency, and in view of the fact that this gentleman will continue to serve as Judicial Commissioner without salary, and continue to do the work which he has done already for a number of years, we are taking this power. There is, amongst other matters with which we deal, the power granted to Northern Ireland to extend to that country the boon which it has hitherto been denied of the Herring Fishery Branding Act, 1913. I understand from a cursory survey of that Act that the object is not to brand the, individual herrings, but the barrels in which they are contained.
There is, finally, a certain necessary amendment of the Act of 1928 to make quite plain the powers of the Northern Ireland Government with regard to works on, under or over the sea, including ferries across tidal waters. I hope hon. Members will be prepared to give a Second Reading to this Bill, and allow any questions of detail to be dealt with at a more suitable time and in a more convenient manner.
§ Mr. ATTLEEI would like to raise a point relating to Clause 6, Sub-section (2) which provides that
For the purposes of this section, the recital in an Act passed by the Parliament of Northern Ireland that the consent of the Treasury has been obtained shall be conclusive evidence of the fact recited.In the 1928 Act the form of words is to the effect that any such recital shall be sufficient evidence unless the contrary is proved. I cannot see any reason for saying that the consent of the Treasury must be obtained or the Act will be invalid and at the same time saying that the mere fact of people having obtained consent makes it valid, and that no objection can be taken afterwards.
§ Mr. TINKERI would like to raise a point in connection with Clause 4 which deals with reciprocal pension arrangements between Northern Ireland and other parts of His Majesty's Dominions. Does the Clause mean that a person passing from Northern Ireland to this 1448 country or vice versâ would receive the benefits applicable just the same as if there were no barriers in between?
§ Mr. STANLEYWe take it that a Parliament of part of His Majesty's Dominions would not set out in an Act of Parliament something which is not true, and we feel that it would be derogatory to that Parliament to make their statement in an Act, that the consent of the British Treasury had been received, anything but conclusive. With regard to Clause 4, the object is to enable reciprocal arrangements to be made with various parts of the Dominions. There is complete reciprocity between this country and Northern Ireland, and if this Measure passes, it will be possible for Northern Ireland to enjoy reciprocity with the Isle of Man. Whenever Great Britain makes reciprocal arrangements with any part of the Dominions, Northern Ireland, through the National Health Insurance Joint Committee, will be able to make a similar arrangement with that Dominion.
§ Mr. STANLEYThe power would be dependent upon arrangements having been made between Great Britain and that part of the Dominions. If and when Great Britain came to an arrangement with Australia, Northern Ireland could take part in it.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a Second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House for Monday next.—[Captain A. Hudson.]