HL Deb 11 August 1913 vol 14 cc1825-6

1. The supervision of the administration by local authorities of their power and duties under this Act.

2. The certification and approval of premises.

3. The provision and maintenance of State institutions.

4. The administration of grants made out of moneys provided by Parliament under this Act.

5. Such other powers and duties of the Board of an administrative nature as the Secretary of State or the Board may assign to the administrative committee.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

I do not move the Amendment standing in my name to the Schedule.

LORD MONK BRETTON

I hope the noble and learned Viscount will move this Amendment. This is a matter of considerable importance, to which I referred on the Second Reading.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

As the noble Lord desires site to do so, I will move the Amendment.

Amendment moved— Page 41, line 18, after ("Board"), where it first appears in paragraph 5, insert ("under this Act").—(The Lord Chancellor.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Schedule, as amended, agreed to.

At the conclusion of the Committee stage, on the Motion to report the Bill as amended to the House.

THE EARL OF SELBORNE said: On this Motion I should like to say one or two words. I think the worst enemy of this House belonging to the Party opposite must be thoroughly satisfied with the proceedings of this Rouse this afternoon. Every one admits, whatever his opinion may be in the Second Chamber controversy, that revision is one of the functions of a Second Chamber. In the conditions under which we have to work revision is a farce. What we have done to-night is a transparent farce in the face of the whole country. It has been impossible for the Opposition to master this Bill or to do their duty by it, and it is perfectly clear that the Government know almost as little of the Bill as the Opposition. Not only that, but the Lord Chancellor puts down on the Paper many Amendments which he thinks obviously necessary improvements in the Bill, and he does not move them. Why? Only to enable the House of Commons to compass the Prorogation on Friday. It is hard indeed to be asked to take part in staging such a farce as this. The days of this House as at present composed are neatly numbered. When the new House comes into existence I devoutly hope that it will refuse to connive at a farce of this kind. I trust that it will arrange its adjournments solely with a view to its duty of revision, and not to suit the convenience either of His Majesty's Government, from whatever Party it is taken, or of the House of Commons.

The Report of Amendments to be received To-morrow, and Bill to be printed as amended. (No. 174.)