HL Deb 27 April 1909 vol 1 cc638-9

Amendment reported (according to Order).

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (LORD LUCAS):

My Lords, when this Bill was being considered in Committee yesterday I undertook to frame words which would satisfy the point raised by the noble Earl, Lord Camperdown, and to move their insertion to-day in lieu of the Amendment which I had then on the Paper. The Amendment standing in my name to-day will, I hope, meet the noble Earl's point.

Amendment moved— In Clause 4, page 3, line 25, to leave out subsection (2) and to insert the following new subsection: '(2) The powers and duties transferred to the Army Council by this section shall as from the commencement of this Act be deemed to be business within the meaning of the Order in Council dated the tenth day of August nineteen hundred and four regulating the distribution of business amongst the members of the Army Council. The Secretary of State may however reserve to himself any part of such business; and '(3) Nothing in this section shall affect the responsibility of the Secretary of State to His Majesty and to Parliament.'"—(Lord Lucas.)

THE. EARL OF CAMPERDOWN:

My Lords, my noble friend was kind enough to draft this Amendment and to show it to me after the House separated yesterday. I readily accepted it, as it seemed to entirely meet the case. I am very much obliged to the noble Lord for acceding to my wishes.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Then Standing Order No. XXXIX considered (according to order), and dispensed with: Bill read 3a, with the Amendments, and passed, and returned to the Commons.