HC Deb 24 January 1949 vol 460 cc703-4

Considered in Committee under Standing Order No. 84.—[King's Recommendation signified].

[Major MILNER in the Chair]

Motion made, and Question proposed, That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to amend the law relating to wireless telegraphy, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of any expenses incurred by any advisory committee established under that Act, to such extent as may be determined by the Postmaster-General with the consent of the Treasury, including such sums as may be so determined in respect of the expenses of the members of any such cornmittee."—[Mr. Wilfred Poling.]

10.39 p.m.

The Postmaster-General (Mr. Wilfred Paling)

Perhaps I had better give a word of explanation about this Resolution. During the Committee stage of the Wireless Telegraphy Bill, hon. Members opposite moved an Amendment in reference to the performance of a certain function. Under the Bill, certificates of competency will be granted to certain people—wireless operators—by the Postmaster-General. In certain cases it may be necessary to revoke such certificates. It was pointed out, during the argument, that to take away a certificate of competency from such a person was a very serious matter to the person concerned. This was agreed. But the Amendment proposed by hon. Members opposite did not meet the situation. I promised to consider the matter and to bring in something if I could at a later stage. I have considered it and I hope, on the appropriate occasion, to move for the setting up of an Advisory Committee.

The procedure will be, in short, that in such a case where a certificate is in question, a suspension will be put into operation. During the time of suspension, the person will be informed that he can apply to the Advisory Committee to have his case fully considered. They will consider it and report their findings to the Postmaster-General. In the first Financial Resolution no provision was made for the payment of the expenses of the committee, and because of that we have to move this Financial Resolution tonight. We estimate that the cost of such an Advisory Committee will be in the neighbourhood of £250 in any one year.

10.42 p.m.

Mr. Charles Williams (Torquay)

I should like to thank the right hon. Gentleman for the very clear explanation he has given to the House. This is the first time I believe that an attempt has been made by the Government Front Bench to explain the position, and I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on having been the first Minister to be straightforward in giving an explanation of a Money Resolution. I hope the Home Secretary will pass on to his colleagues the fact that it is possible for a Money Resolution to be sensibly explained, because it should be the duty of the Minister responsible for the Resolution to do it. I congratulate the Postmaster-General on helping to maintain the traditions of this House for the first time in the three and a half years of this miserable and contemptible Government.

Mr. Grimston (Westbury)

As the right hon. Gentleman said, this Financial Resolution is presented to meet a point we raised on Committee. This is not the time to discuss the manner in which it is proposed to do it, but I thank him for this Resolution and I hope I shall be able tomorrow to move an Amendment to his new Clause.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolution to be reported Tomorrow.