§ 12.5 a.m.
§ Mr. ElliotI beg to move, in page 81, line 39, to leave out Sub-section (4).
§ Mr. ElliotI am willing to give any further explanation the Committee desires. I thought I had done so to the best of my ability on the general Motion. As I have said, the Sub-section was inserted in order to avoid any breach of Privilege by the Lords, and it is now moved out because, without imposing any charge or varying its amount or incidence, the Bill would be meaningless. Therefore, it must be moved out in order that the will of the House expressed in previous Clauses can take effect. That is the reason why we are moving it out. In answer to the right hon. Gentleman, I would say that I take, of course, the full responsibility as Minister in charge of the Bill for directing the House, and I express my regret to the House for not having directed it properly last night.
§ 12.6 a.m.
Mr. AlexanderI am obliged to the Minister for the answer he has made. The Committee ought to know most specifically that a Bill which purports to be a consolidating Measure is, nevertheless, an amending Measure. But, apparently, it is necessary to leave out this form of words in order to avoid a breach of Privilege, because this Measure, as a con- 1484 solidating Bill, increases the charge in a number of respects. I know that it would be out of order to discuss why and where these increased charges take place, but, although it is a consolidating Measure, it does increase the charge, and therefore we must remove any question of the House of Lords having supervision.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ Bill reported, with an Amendment; and, as amended on re-committal, considered; read the Third time, and passed, with Amendments.