HC Deb 17 October 1946 vol 427 cc1103-4

There shall be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament towards the expenses of police authorities or joint police committees such sums, at such times, in such manner and subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State may with the approval of the Treasury determine.—[Mr. T. Fraser.]

Brought up, and read the First and Second time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause be added to the Bill."—[Mr. T. Fraser.]

Mr. J. S. C. Reid

I beg to move, as an Amendment to the proposed new Clause, in line 4, after "Treasury," to insert "by order."

I hope and believe that the Government will accept this Amendment, because I feel sure that it is in line with their real intentions. There are two points involved. The first is to make quite sure that the conditions to which the Clause refers are published and made available to anybody who wants to see them. I assume that they will have some permanent character, and have effect over the whole country. The second is to give this House an opportunity of pronouncing on those conditions. The hon. Gentleman very properly pointed out that there were other Bills where there were no such powers, but this Bill is much more important; a police grant is much more important than grants in the case of children and young persons, and the two things are not similar. I am sure the Government would wish, as they are consulting local authorities, that this House should also have an opportunity of expressing its view.

5.45 p.m.

Mr. T. Fraser

We consider that the Amendment moved by the right hon. and learned Gentleman is a most reasonable one, and we have pleasure in accepting it.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made to the proposed new Clause: In line 4, at the end, add: (2) Any order made by the Secretary of State under this Section shall be laid before Parliament immediately after it is made; and if either House of Parliament, within the period of forty days beginning with the day one which any such order as aforesaid is laid before it, resolves that the order be annulled, it shall thereupon become void, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder or to the making of a new order. In reckoning any such period of forty days as aforesaid, no account shall be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued, or during which both houses are adjourned for more than four days."—[Mr. J. S. C. Reid.]

Clause, as amended, added to the Bill.

First Schedule agreed to.