HC Deb 29 July 1937 vol 326 cc3489-90

Lords Amendment. In page 9, line 26, leave out Sub-section (8) and insert: (8) This Act shall not apply to any registrar of births, deaths and marriages holding office at the appointed day, if within one month after such appointed day he gives notice in writing to the council of the county or large burgh within which the whole or the greater part of his registration area is situate, that he so desires.

11.58 p.m.

Mr. Elliot

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

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

I have to draw the attention of the House to the fact that this Amendment raises a question of Privilege.

Mr. Elliot

I hope no one will object to the Amendment on that account. It carries out an undertaking given when the Bill was under discussion in this House. It is designed to secure that while an existing registrar shall have the option to remain out of the scheme, that shall not extend to those appointed after the appointed day. The Amendment has been considered with the local authorities Association and also with the professional body concerned, the Association of Registrars of Scotland.

11.59 p.m.

Mr. Davidson

I wish to know what is the exact effect of the Amendment as compared with the original Sub-section. May I, as one who raised the question of the right hon. Gentleman's consultation with the local authorities on those very important matters, take this opportunity of saying that the local authorities in Scotland have informed me that they are satisfied with the manner in which the right hon. Gentleman has carried out his promise? It is only fair that, having raised this question on a previous occasion, I should make that statement. It seems to me that the whole thing was already covered. Is this merely a case of some member in another place who considers himself a grammatical expert, and is there really any difference in this new Clause?

Mr. Elliot

There is a big difference. Under the former Clause all registrars had the right to contract out. This Clause limits the right to those registrars who had been previously appointed, and does not allow those subsequently appointed to contract out. The mistake was not discovered in another place, but during the consideration of the Bill here.

Question put, and agreed to.—[Special entry.]