§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."
§ 7.10 p.m.
§ Sir Arnold WilsonWhat is the procedure as regards the currency in Northern Ireland of an emergency Bill of this sort? I take it there has been a formal consultation, but I must say it is a surprise to me that they should find such a Bill necessary there.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI know that the point was present to our minds when we were drafting the Bill. In some of these Bills we include a provision that His Majesty might, by Order-in-Council, order the Bill to apply to Northern Ireland. The fact that that is not done in this case indicates that there has been communication with Northern Ireland, through the Home Office, and that they have agreed that it shall apply there.
§ Sir A. WilsonWill the Solicitor-General explain the words "It is hereby declared"? Should it not be "This Act applies ''? The words '' hereby declared "usually have a special significance when they appear in a Bill.
The Solictor-GeneralI think my hon. Friend has bowled me out on that. It may be that it would apply to Northern Ireland even without those words. They always are put in, in order to make it perfectly clear that the Act does apply.
§ Question, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill," put, and agreed to.