§ Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee, read.
THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (LORD LUCAS)My Lords, I understand that the House has no objection to our taking this Bill through its remaining stages to-night. As your Lordships know, it would be a great convenience if that could be done, as the Bill must obtain the Royal Assent on Thursday.
§ Moved, That the House do now resolve itself into Committee.—(Lord Lucas).
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.
§ House in Committee accordingly, and Bill reported without amendment.
§ LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEUMy Lords, there is one point with regard to Clause 4 of this Bill to which I desire to call attention before the Bill is read a third time. I refer to the new subsection to be added to the Army Act relating inter alia to the impressment of motor-cars by the military authorities in cases of mobilisation. I should like to know whether the War Office have come to any conclusion as to the expenses to be allowed for the use of such cars. I am sure motorists would be only too glad to help the Government in cases of emergency, but I see nothing in the Bill with regard to expenses being allowed.
LORD LUCASThis clause does not deal with the general question of the amount of expenses to be paid for the use of motor-cars. It merely deals with the question of motor-cars when requisitioned 1065 on mobilisation, and its object is to provide that when vehicles, or horses, or motorcars are requisitioned the owner, besides being compelled to deliver them to the Government, is required to deliver them at a certain place. When the section was originally framed the idea was that the Government should send out collecting parties to collect them, but now the owners will have to deliver them. This is a new obligation upon owners, but one so important from the military standpoint that we feel it to be justified; and the price to be paid under the conditions laid down in the other sections will include what it has cost the owner to deliver the motor-car, or horse, or whatever it may be, at the place specified.
§ LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEUWill the noble Lord kindly tell the House where the other clauses are? I do not see them in the Bill now in our hands.
LORD LUCASThey are sections already in the Army Act.
§ LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEUI quite understand that the Government are empowered to require motor-cars that are furnished in pursuance of this section to be delivered at any place not being more than 100 miles distant from the place at which their owners keep them. But what I desire to know is, what allowance per mile or per day is to be given in such cases.
§ Then Standing Order No. XXXIX considered (according to Order) and dispensed with: Bill read 3a, and passed.