HC Deb 26 March 1958 vol 585 cc462-4

Amendment proposed: In page 8 line 6, after "order" insert: continue to be necessary for the protection of any endangered land and".—[The Lord Advocate.]

Mr. Willis

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy-Speaker. Is the Amendment in page 7, line 37, not selected?

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

That is out of order on Report.

Mr. George Lawson (Motherwell)

Which Amendment is it you have ruled out of order, Mr. Deputy-Speaker?

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

The hon. Member for Edinburgh, East asked about the Amendment to Clause 8, line 37. That was out of order.

Mr. Lawson

I know it is not usual to ask why matters are ruled out of order, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, but this was a question upon which we were given a promise in Committee. A promise was given that it would be looked at, and, for that reason, we withdrew our Amendment in Committee. There was an understanding that it would be sympathetically considered in the meantime. The Amendment on which you have ruled was put down for the purpose of raising the matter again. How does it come about that we have no opportunity now to raise it?

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

The Bill was not recommitted in respect of it, and, of course, we cannot increase any charges within the Money Resolution during the Report stage. It should have been recommitted on that if hon. Gentlemen wanted to raise it.

Mr. Lawson

Do we understand, then, that assurances given to us in Committee count for nothing?

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

I am not responsible for that.

Mr. Woodburn

Further to that point of order. Did I understand you to say that it would increase the charge, Mr. Deputy-Speaker? As far as I can understand, it is only improving the grammar.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

It is out of order on Report, and I concluded that it must increase the charge. I am afraid that I am not in a position to select it. I am sorry.

Mr. Lawson

Is there no way of getting any further information? I certainly can see no way in which it increases the charge in this case.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

I may be wrong on that, but it is out of order for some reason. I am afraid that I am only a deputy here; I do not exactly know Mr. Speaker's reason. I understand that it is increasing the charge, but I would not swear to that.

Mr. Woodburn

As far as I can see, it only leaves out some unnecessary words. It makes no difference to the sense of the thing at all.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

It is almost certain to increase the charge in some way, but I am afraid that I cannot tell in what way. It is certainly marked out of order.

Mr. Lawson

May we ask that the matter be looked at again? The Joint Under-Secretary of State gave us this assurance on 6th February: I undertake to look at it again. That being so, perhaps the hon. Member will withdraw it, because we might have to word it differently if we decide to comply with his request."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, Scottish Standing Committee, 6th February, 1958; c. 309.] It was to raise the matter again now that this Amendment was put down.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

It could, of course, have been recommitted; but it has not been. I am afraid that, in the House, there is nothing which can be done. Of course, the Bill will have to go to another place, and the Government might be able to have it put in in another place.

Mr. Lawson

May I, through you, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, ask if the matter can be reconsidered in another place? May we have that assurance?

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

I can give no promise. It will have to go through the stages when it reaches another place, but that is outwith my province.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Willis

I beg to move, in page 8, line 20, to leave out "duly".

There is no need for me to make a long speech on this matter. I understand from the right hon. and learned Gentleman that he had intended to accept the Amendment in Committee but, unfortunately, it was not called. He now has a chance gracefully to concede at least something which does not mean very much but improves the Bill grammatically.

Mr. John Taylor (West Lothian)

I beg to second the Amendment.

The Lord Advocate

I have much pleasure in accepting the hon. Gentleman's Amendment.

Amendment agreed to.