HL Deb 09 July 1903 vol 125 cc131-3

On the Order to receive the Report of Amendments,

THE MARQUESS OF RIPON

said: I was not able to be in the House the other day when the Bill was in Committee, but I was sorry to find that the noble Lord in charge of the Bill was not able to accede to the very reasonable request which was made to the Local Government Board by the West Riding County Council, and, I believe, by other bodies, I do not wish to raise the question again, except merely to say that I am afraid that in the working of the Bill considerable inconvenience will be experienced, especially in large counties like the West Riding, if a majority of one of the numerous smaller bodies mentioned in the clause is able to prevent the transfer to the County Council of very desirable powers. I would also like to ask the exact bearing of the words— But without prejudice to the power of the Board to propose a new Order. Does that mean that as soon as one Order has been rejected by a majority of one of the local authorities, the Local Government Board may introduce a new Order and go through the same process again in the hope that the local authorities may change their opinion?

LORD KENYON

I am not prepared to answer the Question without notice. But I would remind the noble Marquess that the section in question was introduced into the Bill to satisfy the local authorities.

THE MARQUESS OF RIPON

Yes, the small local authorities.

LORD KENYON

I do not think the Bill would be before your Lordships now if the section had not been inserted.

THE MARQUESS OF RIPON

If I am in the House when the Third Reading stage is taken, I will ask the noble Lord) for an explanation of this point.

THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Lord BALFOUR of BURLEIGH)

The provision in question is by no means an unusual one. Without the words— But without prejudice to the power of the Board to propose a new Order. it might be held that an Order having been proposed and rejected, the power of the Local Government Board was altogether exhausted. The noble Marquess need, have no apprehension that a Government Department is likely, out of pure obstinacy, to proceed again and again with the same Order.

THE MARQUESS OF RIPON

I fear the exact opposite.

LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH

In that case I do not see why the noble Marquess should object to the clause.

THE MARQUESS OF RIPON

I do not object. I only ask for an explanation.

Amendments reported (according to Order), and Bill to be read 3a To-morrow.