HC Deb 30 July 1935 vol 304 cc2606-7

Lords Amendment: In page 198, line 25, at the end, insert: and, notwithstanding anything in Part XI of this Act with respect to their term of office, on the establishment of the Federation such of the advisers as the Secretary of State may direct shall cease to hold office.

9.37 p.m.

Mr. BUTLER

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

This addition is regarded as necessary in order that the Secretary of State may terminate the appointment of such of his advisers as are in excess of the maximum number of six which he is to have when the Federal part of the Bill comes into operation. It may be asked whether this is not unfair to the members of his Council. The answer is that it is assumed that any appointment made in the transitional period would envisage the probability that the term of service would be terminated by the commencement of Federation and that those so appointed would be warned on their appointment that this was likely to be the case. During the transitional period it is possible under the terms of the Bill for the Secretary of State to have a maximum of 12 and a minimum of eight. It is when the Federation comes into force that the numbers are reduced by the Bill to six and three respectively.