§ House in Committee (according to Order).
§ *LORD KNUTSFORDMay I ask the noble and learned Lord who is in charge of the Bill, with reference to Section 2, whether there are in fact any warrants, commissions, or instructions issued from the Admiralty with regard to regulating the procedure of the Prize Courts; whether they are not issued by the Queen and signified through the Admiralty? If some of those instructions are really issued by the Admiralty, would it not be as well to insert the words "as the case may be" after "Admiralty"?
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HERSCHELL)I think they are issued by the Admiralty. I will inquire about the matter which the noble Lord has spoken about, and one or two other points which I was reserving for the Standing Committee.
§ *LORD KNUTSFORDThere is one more point. I should like to ask the noble and learned Lord whether any special provision is necessary to enable the Queen or the Admiralty from time to time to vary or revoke the warrants, 1334 commissions, or instructions? I myself do not entertain much doubt about the point, but at the same time the question has come so many times before me that I would suggest that for the purpose of removing any doubt some words should be inserted to the effect that the warrants, commissions, or instructions may be revoked or varied from time to time.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HERSCHELL)I would point out to the noble Lord that the words are sufficient as they stand. The warrants, and so on, may be issued "at any time." They may, therefore, be revoked or varied "from time to time."
§ *LORD KNUTSFORDThat merely enables warrants, and so on, to be issued at any time, so that all need not be issued at once. It does not meet the point to which I referred.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HERSCHELL)I will consider the matter.
§ Bill reported, without amendment; and re-committed to the Standing Committee.