HC Deb 09 April 1948 vol 449 cc551-2

Amendment made: In page 9, line 7, leave out "under," and insert "for the purposes of."—[Mr. Glenvil Hall.]

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I beg to move, in page 9, line 19, after "Treasury," to insert "made by statutory instrument."

There is a group of Amendments here of which the point is to delay for one year Clause 13, which requires the audit of the account of registered friendly societies.

Mr. O. Poole

I do not want to delay the passing of these Amendments or to make a great point of this, but although I understand most of these Amendments are purely drafting, this one is not exactly drafting. Would the right hon. Gentleman help us by making a comment on it?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

There is an Amendment a little later on concerning this matter. The House will remember that an Act dealing with statutory instruments has recently come into force. When this Bill was originally drafted that Act had not begun to operate. This provision brings this Bill into line with the law as it now is. We should make particular reference to the phrase, "statutory instrument."

Mr. Molson

I should like to welcome this Amendment. It raises the whole question of Parliamentary control over the Executive. This is a matter which has been discussed at considerable length in the House. I do very much welcome the fact that the Government have, of their own accord, inserted these words which ensure Parliamentary control over the making of orders by the Treasury.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 9, line 39, leave out "forty-nine," and insert "fifty."