§ (1) This Act shall not extend to Scotland.
§ (2) The foregoing section shall not extend to Northern Ireland, but, notwithstanding anything in the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, the Parliament of Northern Ireland shall have power to make laws for purposes similar to any of the purposes of the foregoing section.— [Mr. Crowder.]
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
§ 11.7 a.m.
§ Mr. F. P. Crowder (Ruislip-Northwood)I beg to move, That the Clause be read a Second time.
This Amendment has been asked for by the Government of Northern Ireland to enable the Parliament of Northern Ireland to legislate for purposes similar to those contained in Clause 1 of the Bill. It has been suggested that the Parliament of Northern Ireland might be unable to do this without express provision in that behalf because of a possible contravention of Section 5 of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920. That Act precludes that Parliament from making laws the effect of which is to take any property without compensation.
Major W. Hicks Beach (Cheltenham)I beg to second the Motion.
I do so with some difficulty because, although I am not a Scottish lawyer, I cannot see any reason why the Bill as drawn should not apply to Scotland. However, I am informed that the Scottish Law Officers say that the law in Scotland is so complicated that it would not work. Therefore, I think that we must leave the matter as it is.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.