HC Deb 30 May 1935 vol 302 cc1354-5
Mr. BUTLER

I beg to move, to leave out the Clause.

5.28 p.m.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

I think that, if we are going to leave out a Clause, we ought to have some explanation, because it can hardly be possible that the leaving out of this Clause, which is a very distinct one in itself, is a matter that is entirely covered by the fact that we are dealing with Burma. I feel sure that it is covered in some part of the Bill, but our pace has been so rapid that there may be one or two Members of Parliament somewhere or other who do not know exactly where it is covered. Of course, it is not my job to inform them of the whole position in regard to every detail of the Bill, but I feel that some Member of the Government will be able to tell us, and save me the trouble of doing so.

Mr. BUTLER

The House will remember that we omitted the original Clause 251 from the Indian section of the Bill, substituting for it a new form of procedure. That Clause had to do with future appointments to the Secretary of State's Services, and with the possibility of an inquiry into the recruitment by the Secretary of State of the All-India Services after a certain date. The Committee decided to omit that Clause from the Bill, and different arrangements are now being substituted for that Clause in the Burma and Indian portions of the Bill. The omission of Clause 427 is consequential upon the omission of the similar Clause 251 from the Indian portion of the Bill.

Amendment agreed to.