§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (VISCOUNT PEEL)My Lords, I beg to move, the Second Reading of this 1051 Bill, which is intended to carry out certain changes in the constitution and the emoluments of the Military Knights of Windsor. These Knights are retired officers appointed by His Majesty the King, and they are divided into two classes. There are thirteen Knights of the Royal or Upper Foundation, and five Knights of the Private or Lower Foundation. The emoluments of the Upper Foundation are derived mainly from benefactions under the will of Henry VIII, so that they have a considerable historical importance. The object of the Bill is to do away with the Private or Lower Foundation, subject, of course, to the rights of existing holders. It is thought that as the endowments are rather small it would be far better that the endowments of the five Knights of the Private or Lower Foundation should be distributed among the Knights of the Upper Foundation. As regards the abolition of the Lower Foundation, that can be effected perfectly well by His Majesty the King without statutory authority, but it is necessary, as the two Foundations are separate, that the redistribution of the fund shall be done by Act of Parliament, and it is that redistribution of the fund which this Bill proposes to do.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 20a.—(Viscount Peel.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a.