HC Deb 29 April 1975 vol 891 cc427-30

No. 33, in Schedule 4, page 48, leave out from beginning of line 7 to "there" in line 10 and insert:

"Disqualification for membership of the House of Commons and the Northern Ireland Assembly

6. In Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 and in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975."

No. 50, in Schedule 6, page 57, line 30, at end insert:

"The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c.)

55. In Part III of Schedule 1, in the entry relating to local government officers the words from "County clerk or" to the end of the entry shall cease to have effect.

56. In Part IV of Schedule 1, in the entry relating to Her Majesty's Lieutenant for a county in Great Britain for the words "Great Britain" there shall be substituted the words "England and Wales", and after that entry there shall be inserted the following entries:

Her Majesty's lord-lieutenat or lieu-tenat for a region in Scotland. Any constituency comprising the whole or part of such part of the region as may be determined by Order in Council made by Her Majesty in which the Lord-lieutenant holds office or in which the lord-lieutenant or lieu-tenant discharges his functions.
Her Majesty's lord-lieutenant or lieu-tenant for an islands area in Scotland. Any constituency comprising the whole or part of the islands area for which the lord-lieutenant or lieutenant is appointed or for which the lord-lieutenant holds office.
Her Majesty's lord-lieutenant or lieu-tenant for the district of the city of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh or Glasgow. Any constituency comprising the whole or part of the district in which the lord-lieutenant holds office or for which the lieutenant is appointed.
"1975 c. The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975. In Part III of Schedule 1, in the entry relating to local government officers the words from "County clerk or" to the end of the entry.
1975 c. The Northern Ireland Assembly Dis-qualification Act 1975. In Part III of Schedule 1, in the entry relating to local government officers the words from "County clerk or "to the end of the entry."

The Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c.)

57. In Part III of Schedule 1, in the entry relating to local government officers the words from "County clerk or" to the end of the entry shall cease to have effect."

No. 59, in Schedule 7, page 60, line 27, at end insert:

Mr. Hector Monro

May I seek clarification on Lords Amendment No. 50? The amendment has just been tacked on to Schedule 6 and I should like the Minister to explain what, exactly, it entails in relation to the lord-lieutenants of the regions of Scotland. I appreciate the position of lord-lieutenants of the cities and the island areas. Has this Bill made any difference, however, to the existing situation in relation to the present lord-lieutenants designated by counties, and, if not, why was the amendment included?

Mr. Millan

The amendment does not make any difference, and I rather suspect that it is connected with the 1973 Act. I am not clear why we are introducing it at this very late stage in the Bill, because it continues the existing position but expresses the matter in terms of the new local authority areas. The hon. Member need not worry about the position of the lord-lieutenants being altered or prejudiced by anything we are doing here. The amendment removes the disqualification from serving as MPs of clerks and depute clerks of a county, district or burgh. I am informed that such officers will cease to exist from 16th May. Technically, therefore, if the Bill receives the Royal Assent next week and there is a by-election before 16th May a county clerk can stand for election.

There is no other point in the amendment, but the other place has put it in and I have simply to move it here.

Question put and agreed to.

Remaining Lords Amendments agreed to [several with Special Entry and one with Queen's Consent, on behalf of the Crown, signified].

Mr. Millan

I beg to move, That a Committee be appointed to draw up a Reason to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to one of their Amendments to the Bill; that it do consist of Mr. Alick Buchanan-Smith, Mr. James Hamilton, the Lord Advocate, Mr. Teddy Taylor and Mr. Bruce Millan; that three be the quorum; and that they do withdraw immediately.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I wish to inquire whether it is in order for the House to appoint a committee which is not representative of the representation of the Scottish National Party in this House. An undertaking had been given by the Minister that consideration might be given to representation of the Scottish National Party on such matters.

Mr. Millan

May I say that I understand that the position is that this matter is still being looked at. There are, I understand, some technical difficulties. I am not sure what they might be, but the matter has not been forgotten.

Question put and agreed to.

To withdraw immediately.

Reason for disagreeing to one of the Lords Amendments to be reported, and agreed to; to be communicated to the Lords.

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