HL Deb 14 June 1906 vol 158 cc1099-101

House in Committee (according to Order).

[The EARL of ONSLOW in the Chair.]

Clause 1:—

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (The Earl of PORTSMOUTH)

moved to amend Clause 1, which provided that "notwithstanding anything in the Reserve Forces Acts, men might be enlisted into the Army Reserve in any part of His Majesty's dominions outside the United Kingdom except a self-governing colony, "by inserting before the words" part of His Majesty's dominions "the words" British Protectorate or in any."

Amendment moved— In Clause 1, page 1, line 9, after the word any 'to insert the words 'British Protectorate or in any.' "—(The Earl of Portsmouth.)

VISCOUNT KNUTSFORD

held that the Amendment was useless inasmuch as Sub-section 3 defined the expression "His Majesty's Dominions outside the United Kingdom" as including British Protectorates.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOE THE COLONIES (The Earl of ELGIN)

The explanation is that some Protectorates are not within His Majesty's dominions.

VISCOUNT KNUTSFORD

Then your definition is wrong; it says that His Majesty's dominions outside the United Kingdom shall include British Protectorates.

THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTH

withdrew the Amendment at this stage and said he would bring it forward again on Third Reading.

Amendment, by leave of the House, withdrawn.

THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTH moved to leave out the words "a self-governing colony" and to insert in their stead the words "in a colony possessing responsible government."

Amendment moved— In lines 10 and 11, to leave out the words 'a self-governing colony,' and to insert the words 'in a colony possessing responsible government.' "—(The Earl of Portsmouth.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTH moved to amend Sub-section 2, the latter part of which provided that regulations made under Section 20 of the Reserve Forces Act, 1882, might make such adaptations in the Reserve Forces Acts as might be necessary for the purpose of adapting those Acts to the circumstances of the several parts of His Majesty's dominions outside the United Kingdom, by the addition after the words "United Kingdom" of the words "or of British Protectorates."

Amendment moved— In line 22, after the word 'Kingdom,' to insert the words 'or of British Protectorates.' "—(The Earl of Portsmouth.)

VISCOUNT KNUTSFORD

said this Amendment was open to the same objection.

THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTH

thereupon withdrew it until the next stage.

THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTH

was proceeding to move other Amendments, when

VISCOUNT KNUTSFORD

said that evidently little attention had been paid to the Amendments, and he suggested that they should be reconsidered.

THE EARL OF ELGIN

I understand that the Amendments have been carefully considered by the Colonial Office and the War Office, and that their object is to bring the definition into accord with what is the law on the subject.

VISCOUNT KNUTSFORD

said the carelessness of the drafting of the new Amendments was obvious from the fact that the words "a self-governing colony" had already been struck out and the words "in a colony possessing responsible government" inserted; yet the definition clause provided that the expression "self-governing colony" should mean any colony which was specified in the schedule. The expression "self-governing colony" now appeared nowhere in the Bill, and therefore the definition was an absurdity.

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (The Marquess of RIPON)

Surely the term "a colony possessing responsible government" is the correct term. That is the technical description of the colonies in the schedule.

THE EARL OF HALSBURY

I would suggest the desirability of reporting Progress. I caught one phrase a moment ago to the effect that it was proposed to make a Protectorate part of His Majesty's dominions. That would be a very serious innovation.

LORD ASHBOURNE

said that if the matter were left to the draftsmen the wording could be put right. He thought it would be better to allow the Minister in charge of the Bill, on his own Motion, to move that the Committe stage stand over.

THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTH

said he did not quite follow the objections that had been taken, but he was prepared to agree to the adjournment of the Committee stage.

House resumed; Bill to be again in Committee on Monday next.