HL Deb 18 April 1902 vol 106 cc628-30

On the order for going into Committee on this Bill—

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Earl of ONSLOW)

I notice in Clause 1 of the Bill a provision extending the measure to the self-governing Colonies. I would point out that it would be a new departure that legislation by the Imperial Parliament should be made to apply to these Colonies without their consent; and I am not aware that their assent has been obtained to this legislation. Therefore, I shall have to ask your Lordships to agree to an Amendment eliminating the words extending the application of the Bill to the Colonies; but I will consult the noble Lord's convenience as to whether I shall move it now or on the Report stage.

* LORD MONKSWELL

I should be obliged to the noble Earl if he would put off his Amendment till the Report stage; but, in reply to what he has said, I would explain that this Bill simply contains clauses from the Bill of 1900, which was sent to the Colonies, and to which, as far as I know, no objection was raised. My noble friend Viscount Knutsford, a former Colonial Secretary, was a member of the Committee on the Bill of 1900, and entirely approved of its provisions being applied to the self-governing Colonies. Though I do not care, speaking on behalf of owners of musical copyright in this country, whether the Amendment is carried or not, I should like the matter to stand over to the Report stage in order that Lord Knutsford may be present. At this stage I do not propose to move any Amendment, but I shall probably submit one to the Standing Committee in regard to the omission of a sub-section giving power of search.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (The Earl of HALSBURY)

This Bill does undoubtedly refer to what I may call the internal police administration of the Colonies, on which matters the Colonies are usually permitted to legislate for themselves. I think it would be extremely inconvenient to make such minute administrative arrangements for the Colonies as are contained in the Bill, especially as they had not been con-suited on this part of the subject. Moreover, the Bill has been justified on the ground that it is in this country that the evil which it attempts to remedy has arisen.

House in Committee (according to order); Bill reported without Amendment; and re-committed to the Standing Committee.

    c629
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