HC Deb 17 July 1947 vol 440 c722

Lords Amendment: In page 9, line 44, leave out "umpires" and insert "the umpire."

Mr. Isaacs

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

Mr. Manningham-Buller

There seems to be something a little wrong with this Amendment. In page 9, at line 44, one sees the words "umpires and deputy umpires." If we leave out "umpires" and insert "the umpire," the sentence would read, starting in line 43: Section eight (which relates to Reinstatement Committees the umpire …)"— which seems to me to be bad grammar. I imagine it is that "umpires" which is being taken out. If it is the other "umpires" it would read: Section eight (which relates to Reinstatement Committees umpires and deputy the umpire). I am not quite sure that the drafting is right.

Mr. Isaacs

So far as I understand it, it is mainly a question of phraseology. I think the purpose is to refer to "the umpire" in that case, and then to "deputy umpires." So it should be "the umpire," who is a single individual, whereas there might be more than one deputy umpire.