§ Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.
750§ possible risk in comparison with the advantage to be gained by this occasional importation of selected animals, I cannot see why the noble Lord should regard it as such a severe imputation upon his Department that he is merely asked to do what all Ministers are from time to time asked to do—namely to lay on the Table of the House proposals, it being understood that in a great number of cases they pass with the silent sanction of Parliament, and that it is only in the exceptional case of a breach of what is desirable and proper that Parliament would interfere with the administrative discretion of the Minister. I wish, therefore, twat the noble Lord had agreed to accept the Motion of my noble friend for the Second Reading. If my noble friend proceeds to a Division I shall feel bound—and I cannot help thinking that many of your Lordships closely interested in agriculture will also feel bound—to support him.
§ On Question, whether the Bill should be read 2a?—
§ Their Lordships divided—Contents, 37; Not-Contents, 29.
749| CONTENTS. | ||
| Argyll, D. | Sandwich, E, | Erskine, L. |
| Wellington, D | Selborne, E. | Fairfax of Cameron, L. |
| Crewe, M. | Strafford, E. | Fairlie, L. (E. Glasgow.) |
| Lincolnshire, M. (Lord Great Chamberlain.) | Faringdon, L. | |
| Allendale, V. | Hindlip, L. [Teller.] | |
| M. Bangor, V. | Islington L | |
| Linlithgow, E. | Harcourt, V. | Kintore, L. (E. Kitore.) |
| Ancaster, E. | Montagu of Beaulieu, L. | |
| Devon, E. | Askwith, L. | Parmoor, L. |
| Doncaster, E. (D. Baccleuch and Queensberry.) | Bledisloe, L. | Rotherham, L. |
| de Mauley, L. | Shandon, L. | |
| Midleton, E. | Denman, L. | Strachie, L. [Teller.] |
| Morton, E. | Desborongh, L. | Stuart of Wortley, L. |
| Portsmouth, E. | Dynevor, L. | Sydenham, L. |
| NOT-CONTENTS. | ||
| Birkenhead, L. (L. Chancellor.) | Cave, V. | Hylton, L. |
| Chilston, V. | Lee of Fareham, L. | |
| Bradford, E. | Finlay, V. | Meston, L. |
| Chesterfield, E. | Milner, V. | Muir Mackenzie, L. |
| Eldon, E. | Phillimore, L | |
| Harewood, E. | Annesley, L. (V. Valentia) | |
| Lucan, E | Buckmaster, L. | Ranksborough, L. |
| Lytton, E. | Cawley, L. | Rathcreedan, L. |
| Onslow, E. | Clwyd, L. | Somerleyton, L. [Teller.] |
| Cochrane of Cults, L. | Stanmore, L. [Teller] | |
| Sandhurst, V. (L. Chamberlain.) | Colebrooke, L. | Wigan, L. (E. Crawford.) |
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(The Marquess of Linlithgow.)
§ LORD SHAWMy Lords, I desire to offer a few observations with regard to this measure. I think the House is to be con- 751 gratulated upon the Bill having been introduced, pushed forward so pluckily, and brought to this stage by my noble friend opposite. The House will probably remember with me what an hereditary interest my noble friend has in this measure. I may say, speaking with some experience of Scotland and of the inside of the Scottish Office—I may ask the forgiveness of my noble friend for saying this—that the services of his noble and distinguished father are remembered with extreme gratitude mid affection both inside the House and throughout the whole of the country, and this Bill has very worthily fallen into his hands. The Bill is much overdue. Its object is simply to add another to the principal Secretaries of State, that other officer being the Secretary for Scotland.
It is almost impossible to show to the outside world what are the multiform duties of that officer, and I do not propose to do so; but I would say that during the war I know of no office of old standing which has so manfully and capably risen to the numerous demands made upon it. This is not a measure introduced in order to provide for a temporary purpose. It is a measure which depends upon its own merits, and, as I have said, the Bill is long overdue. I desire to make a definite appeal to the Government upon this subject. A great opportunity offered in the year 1917 when the Air Ministry was constructed under Statute. Then an addition of one was made to the principal. Secretaries of State, and I do not think it would have been out of place to have seized that opportunity to add this overdue appointment. That opportunity was passed by. Undoubtedly there were causes arising out of the exigencies of the time which might excuse that. But the fact is that not only is this not a Bill providing for a temporary alleviation of things which occur now and disappear next year, but that every year of the history of the Scottish Office the duties are increased and enhanced.
I may mention to your Lordships only one item which will convince the House of how very serious is the position of the Secretary for Scotland if he is not upon a level with the other Secretaries of State. One of the principal functions of the Secretary for Scotland is not only to watch the development of and demand for legislation in that country, but to watch also the development and progress of legislation 752 Therefore the relations of the Scottish Office with the Home Office are daily and in many cases hourly, and when great Bills are passed emanating from the Home Office and affecting the welfare of the English people you will see towards the close of those Bills very often a reference to the application of those measures to Scotland. The length, or rather I should say the lack of length, of that reference gives no indication whatever to the labour involved. The two systems of jurisprudence are entirely unlike. In land, in succession, in many parts of the administration a separate code of legislation would be required but for the watchful and the daily and hourly care of this distinguished officer the Secretary for Scotland. He has to meet on a level the Home Secretary and other Secretaries of State, and I wish to testify that I have never in all my experience known a more capable or a more distinguished or able service rendered to the State than by the present holder of that great office.
I make an appeal to the Government for this reason. I hear that there are two dangers affecting the Bill. The first danger is that it may be mixed up with other questions as to other appointments and what, rank they should have. My Lords, this is a case on its own merits and deserves to be treated on its own merits and ought not to be smothered in that manner. In the second place I hear that it is possible that the ordinary and familiar device of remitting this to a Committee, perhaps along with other kindred topics, may be resorted to. There is no occasion and no excuse for that. I wish to say quite emphatically and plainly, from my experience of my country and my experience of years of the Office, that this little bit of legislation, so simple and so urgent, ought not to be further avoided, and I appeal to the Government to assist its passage into law.
§ On Question, Bill read 3a.
THE MARQUESS OF LINLITHGOWMy Lords, I can only say how touched I am that the noble and learned Lord should associate the name of my late father with my own humble and obscure efforts in relation to this Bill. I should be doing myself less than justice if I allowed the House to think that it was nothing to me to urge in your Lordships' House, and in an Assembly in which my father had so 753 many friends, the claims of an Office that was once filled by him. Of the many stories of my father which I treasure, this is one—that while he held the office of Secretary for Scotland, and when there was under his consideration the claims of various persons for some minor posts, he turned to his adviser and asked only this question, "What is best for Scotland?" If I may say so without pretentiousness that is the way I have honestly attempted to regard this question. Your Lordships recently gave a Second Reading to a Bill touching Ireland which made no small claim on the Imperial revenue. It was the fear that a noisy disloyalty might be preferred to staunch and manly cooperation that prompted me to take the course I have. The Lord Chancellor, when this question was first mooted in your Lordships' House, recommended me to mobilise the persuasive forces of my countrymen. I have done my best to do so, but still there is in the Government some element, I know not what, that remains obdurate.
THE LORD CHANCELLORAs the House has passed the Third Reading of his Bill and as there is no question before the House now, does the noble Marquess really think it necessary to enter on the question of the propriety of the Government?
THE MARQUESS OF LINLITHGOWI recognise that I failed to take advantage of my opportunity, and that I have no right to ask the House for any consideration in the matter. I beg to move that the Bill do now pass.
§ Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Bill passed and sent to the Commons.