§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE EARL OF CRAWFORD)My Lords, the main object of this Bill is to arrange that the whole dealing with disabled pensioners shall be handed over to the care and responsibility of a Minister answerable to Parliament. The Bill has been the subject of prolonged consideration. I believe that it has been adjusted between all interested parties, and it reaches us from the House of Commons as an agreed measure. The first clause dissolves the Statutory Committee and places in the hands of the Minister of Pensions the work of that body. The Statutory Committee has done very remarkable and noteworthy service to the State, but circumstances since its inception have changed very much, and it is now generally recognised, both by the Statutory Committee itself and by the Ministry of Pensions, that this dissolution is advisable. The Statutory Committee, though dissolved, will continue indirectly in the 300 local committees which have been established under its œgis, and it is to these committees that the Ministry of Pensions in future will look for local information and advice, and upon their efficiency much will depend. There is, however, a case for some special committee in addition to the actual Ministry of Pensions, and this is recognised in the second clause of the Bill, conferring upon the Minister of Pensions the right to appoint a Special Grants Committee to consist of ten persons. I propose when the Bill is in Committee to raise that figure from ten to twelve, as more convenient. To this new Special Grants Committee various functions exercised hitherto by the Statutory Committee will be transferred. There are certain specialised cases where it is preferable that a Committee should act 37 having special and particular knowledge. Some of the members of this Committee will probably be drawn from the Statutory Committee itself, and it will be a useful addition to the machinery of the Department. Clause 3 deals with the transfer of the staff and makes arrangements about the funds. I shall ask your Lordships to agree to one small and wholly technical amendment in this clause, which enables the Treasury to make the necessary arrangements about the finance of the Special Grants Committee. Clause 4 is a technical clause; and the last clause—Clause 5—deals with the short title, repeal, and saving.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Earl of Crawford.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.