§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPMy Lords, this is a small Bill which has passed through the other House without opposition of any kind. The purpose of it is to enable the 1141 Secretary of State to make certain allowances to members of the staff of the Government of India at home here in England. It is possible already for him to make these allowances to those who are in the Indian Civil Service, but some question has arisen as to whether it is possible for him to make them to gentlemen who are serving in the India Office at Whitehall. The object of this Bill is not only to remove this doubt, but also in a case of considerable hardship to make it quite certain that the Secretary of State has not acted ultra vires. The Bill is a plain and simple one, and I shall be glad to give any further explanation of it if any noble Lord wishes.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Earl Beauchamp.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPI am entirely in the hands of the House. I would be quite prepared to put off until to-morrow the future stages of the Bill if any noble Lord desires to carefully examine its innocent provisions. But if noble Lords are content to trust the apparent harmlessness of the Bill, I should like to get it through its remaining stages to-day.
§ Committee negatived: Then (Standing Order No. XXXIX having been uspended), Bill read 3a, and passed.