§ Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee, read.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD ISLINGTON)My Lords, in moving that this Bill be committed I should like to explain a little more elaborately the point that was brought up in debate yesterday when I moved the Second Reading. Lord Portsmouth and the noble Marquess who leads the Opposition then asked me whether the wording of Clause 1—
…shall apply as if, subject to the conditions, exceptions, and qualifications (if any) contained in the Order…was not giving undue latitude in regard to this extending Bill. I replied at the time that I thought these words were inserted to give the requisite latitude and to permit the necessary variations in each Order in Council to make it applicable to the local conditions; and on further inquiry I find that I was right in that explanation. And when I tell the noble Marquess that the wording in this clause has been copied *identically from Section 36 of the Act of 1881 I hope noble Lords will be satisfied that there is no attempt in this Bill to extend in any way the power or scope of the 1881 Act except in so far as allowing the powers of that Act to be extended to Protected States.
§ Moved, That the House do now resolve itself into Committee.—(Lord Islington.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.
§ House in Committee accordingly.
§ Bill reported without amendment, and to be read 3a on Monday next.