HC Deb 26 November 1948 vol 458 c1570

12.20 p.m.

The Chairman

I think it would meet the convenience of the Committee if we discussed all the Amendments on the first four Clauses together.

Earl Winterton (Horsham)

That, I take it, will not prevent my asking any question arising out of particular Amendments?

The Chairman

No.

The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker)

I beg to move, in page 1, line 14, to leave out "whether" and to insert "either."

The object of this Amendment is to give barrister judges an unqualified right to retire on proportionate pension, a right which the I.C.S. judges already enjoy. This Amendment has been put down to meet a criticism of the Bill made in the Second Reading Debate, and I hope it may meet with the approval of the House.

Earl Winterton

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for putting down this Amendment. It represents a very temporary alliance—which I hope will not embarrass either of us—between the hon. and learned Member for Northampton (Mr. Paget) and myself. We were the two Members who pressed this point. I am sure this Amendment improves the Bill and, what is more, removes—and here I am on rather delicate ground—from the minds of some of these distinguished gentlemen certain apprehensions they had because of the manner in which the Clause was originally worded.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page I, leave out lines 15 and 16.—[Mr. P. Noel-Baker.]

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.