HL Deb 21 August 1917 vol 26 cc720-2

Clause 9, page 9, line 35, leave out from (" shall ") to the second (" be ") in line 37.

The Commons disagree to this Amendment but propose the following Amendment in lieu thereof:

In line 35 leave out (" within such time ") and insert (" before the expiration of suck period ").

VISCOUNT MILNER

This is a purely drafting matter.

Moved, That this House do not insist on the said Amendment and agree with the Commons Amendment.—(Viscount Milner.)

THE EARL OF SELBORNE

Will my noble friend read out how the provision will stand if we agree with the Commons Amendment?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

The subsection will then read thus: '…shall, if he makes a claim for the purpose before the expiration of such period, not being less than one year, after the exercise of the powers as may be prescribed by the Board, be entitled to be paid by the Board such amount as represents the loss."

LORD PARMOOR

That is reintroducing the words which lead to so much misapprehension. It is no good raising any further protest, but I recollect that the noble Viscount opposite and the noble Duke both consented to have the matter put clear, which on the drafting was extremely obscure.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

It is "before the expiration of such period not being less than one year."

THE EARL OF SELBORNE

I do not see the word "before."

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

There is a misprint. On the Paper it reads "for the expiration of such period." It should be "before the expiration of such period."

LORD PARMOOR

One other matter before this Amendment is put. The noble Viscount will recollect that there was considerable discussion on the compensation clause, which, for my part, I thought was generally satisfactory; but it was pointed out that it would be very inconvenient to make the compensation once for all. Therefore words were introduced, I think by the noble Viscount himself, with regard to the method under which you could have payment over a period of time.

VISCOUNT MILNER

That is still in. In the next Amendment the words are left in.

LORD PARMOOR

That is sufficient to answer my question. I thought they had been taken out.

VISCOUNT MILNER

No; that is not so.