HL Deb 28 July 1903 vol 126 cc525-7

Read 3a (according to Order).

Drafting Amendment agreed to.

THE EARL OF ROSSLYN

asked whether the paragraph which had been inserted at line 11, on page 2, was meant to safeguard foreigners on their arrival in this country, and whether the clause, in the opinion of the noble Lord in charge of the Bill, was sufficient to protect such foreigners from police annoyance.

LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH

said the words were those he had promised to insert, and he was advised that they were sufficient for the purpose.

THE EARL OF NORTHBROOK

moved a new clause providing that the Act should also apply to persons in the public service of the Crown. He thought it was obviously to the public advantage that the Amendment should be passed, and he understood the Government would raise no objection.

Amendment moved. After Clause 13 to insert as a new clause, A person shall not be exempt from any of the provisions of this Act by reason only of his being in the public service of the Crown.'"— (The Earl of Northbrook)

LORD BALFOUR OE BURLEIGH

said he was willing to accept the Amendment on the understanding that in another place it would probably be necessary to exclude actual servants of the Crown from having to take out a licence under the local authority. He had no objection, nor had the Departments concerned, to servants of the Crown coming under the penalty clauses if they drove recklessly or committed any other offence, but it would he inconvenient for postal servants, and others acting under the orders of their own superior officers, to be obliged to take out licences under the local authority. With that reservation he accepted the Amendment.

Amendment agreed to.

Moved, That the Bill do now pass.

THE EARL OF ROSSLYN

rose to protest against an Amendment, of which he had given private notice, being passed over without any opportunity being afforded for its consideration.

LORD TWEEDMOUTH

pointed out I that one of the rules of the House was that Amendments on the Third Reading could not be made unless they appeared on the Paper. It was extremely desirable that that rule should be adhered to.

THE EARL OF ROSSLYN

explained that he had been advised that he would be able to move the Amendment.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (The EARL, of HALSBURY)

said he was not aware that any Amendment had been passed over.

LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH

said the noble Earl gave private notice of an Amendment, but did not put it on the Paper. He (Lord Balfour of Burleigh) moved an Amendment increasing the penalty which came in at the same point, and as the noble Earl did not then speak, he thought he accepted that Amendment in place of his own.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

pointed out that if the noble Earl had followed the proceedings he would have noticed when his Amendment should have come in.

THE EARL OF ROSSLYN

said the; Amendments were put so rapidly he was unable to follow them.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

Something in the nature of decorum is always considered appropriate in this House.

Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.

House adjourned at five minutes before Twelve o'clock, to Thursday next, a quarter past Four o'clock.