HC Deb 13 February 1956 vol 548 cc2104-5

(1)There shall be defrayed out of Moneys provided by Parliament—

  1. (a) any increase attributable to the passing of this Act in the sums payable out of moneys so provided under any enactment providing for the payment of Exchequer grants towards the expenses of police authorities and joint police committees in Scotland; and
  2. (b) any expenses incurred by the Secretary of State under this Act.

(2)Any sums which by virtue of any provision of this Act are received by the Secretary of State from police authorities or joint police committees, or deducted by him from moneys otherwise payable by him to any such authority or committee, shall be paid into the Exchequer. —[The Solicitor-General for Scotland.]

Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill.

Schedules agreed to.

Bill reported, with Amendments; as amended, considered.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

4.40 p.m.

Mr. John Taylor (West Lothian)

I hope that the House will not regard the proceedings on this Bill as a precedent likely to be followed on many occasions. I think that it is three-and-a-half years since a Scottish Bill of this length went through Committee and Report stages and reached its Third Reading with so few words being said by Scottish Members. The only reason that I think it fit to state why this Bill has gone through so smoothly is that it is obviously a Bill which is welcomed on both sides of the House. The few misgivings which one or two hon. Members had about certain points of detail in it have been cleared up by consultation and, therefore, we welcome this Bill in its last stages in this House.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed, with Amendments.