HC Deb 22 February 1945 vol 408 cc1084-5
Sir Joseph Lamb (Stone)

I beg to move, in page1, line 20, at end, insert: from among persons prominent in the public life of the area. I should like to thank the Minister for what he has just done in regard to the new Clause, because it was submitted in consultation with the local authorities and he has given what they required. My Amendment seeks to rectify what was probably an omission, because the words have been lifted from the report made to the Minister himself for consideration, and I think it is his intention that the object of this Amendment should be carried out. My object in putting it down is that that object may be stated in the Bill, and so that we may be assured that the conditions which his own committee have reported as desirable and necessary should be effective.

Wing-Commander Grant-Ferris (St. Pancras, North)

I beg to second the Amendment.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Miss Wilkinson)

I am sorry we cannot accept the Amendment, although that is not because my right hon. Friend has not every sympathy with it. We cannot accept it because we think it is unnecessary, since it is the intention of the Home Secretary to carry out to the full the suggestions of the Morris Committee on this matter. To begin with, we are informed by the lawyers that if we accepted these words they would be very difficult of legal definition. Secondly, we are going to carry out the proposals of the Morris Committee with intention, and therefore it is really not necessary. With that assurance I do hope the hon. Member will not press his Amendment.

Sir J. Lamb

I am sorry to hear the statement made by the right hon. Lady, for this reason, that she has said it is necessary because it is the Department's intention to do it—

Miss Wilkinson

I said "unnecessary."

Sir J. Lamb

I understood it was the intention to do it but that it was not necessary to put it in the Bill. The point I want to make is that if it is necessary for my right hon. Friend to do it, it is necessary to put it in the Bill because otherwise he is doing something which is not law.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker (Mr. Charles Williams)

The hon. Gentleman cannot make a second speech.. He can withdraw his Amendment, but, I am very sorry, he cannot make a second speech.

Sir J. Lamb

As it would be useless to put it to a vote, I must of necessity withdraw my Amendment, but not with very good grace.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.