HC Deb 20 May 1947 vol 437 cc2287-90

Lords Amendment: In page 9, line 13, after "fit" insert:

"being purposes relating to hospital or specialist services or to research into any such matters are are mentioned in Section seventeen of this Act."

9.42 p.m.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Westwood)

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

This Amendment makes it cleat that the purposes to which endowments may be re-allocated by the Hospital Endowments Commission must be within the field of hospital and specialist services, including research.

Lords Amendment: In line 18, at end, insert "and."

Mr. Westwood

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

This Amendment, together with the next Amendment, is consequential.

Mr. J. S. C. Reid (Hillhead)

I do not think that this Amendment is consequential. It means that the Government are accepting, at a late date, an Amendment which was proposed in the Scottish Grand Committee. It has taken them a long time to realise that we were right, but we congratulate them on realising it now.

Lords Amendment: In page in, line 7, leave out "five," and insert "seven."

Mr. Westwood

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

I have always regarded it as important that the work of the Commission should be completed in the shortest possible time, because until the Commission actually review the particular endowments, those endowments can be applied only in accordance with their existing classes, which may have become inapplicable in the changed circumstances created by the Bill. As a guarantee, however, of the good faith of my intention that the Commission should complete the task themselves, I am content that their minimum period of office should be extended to seven years from five years. In that event, I confidently hope that no question of continuing the Commission in office for a further period will arise, although I must point out that there remains, in the Bill, a provision for that extension.

Mr. Speaker

This Amendment raises a question of Privilege, and the necessary entry will be made in the Journal of the House.

Commander Galbraith (Glasgow. Pollok)

We are very glad that the Government have seen fit to extend the term of service of the Commission in the hope that they may complete their work, and that it may not be necessary to extend their service beyond the period which is now laid down.