Lords Sitting of 22 February 1922

Preamble
The House met at a quarter before four of the clock, The LORD CHANCELLOR On the Woolsack.
LORD GLENDYNE.
Sir Robert Nivison, Bart., having been created Baron GLENDYNE of Sanquhar in the county of Dumfries—Was (in the usual manner) introduced.
LORD MANTON.
Joseph Watson, Esquire, having been created Baron MANTON of Compton Verney in the County of Warwick—Was (in the usual manner) introduced.

GUARDIANSHP, ETC., OF INFANTS BILL. [H.L.]
LORD ASKWITH: My Lords, I beg to ask leave to introduce a Bill to amend the law relating to the guardianship, maintenance, custody and marriage of infants, and to move that it be read a first time.
Moved, That the Bill be now read 1ª.—(Lord Askwith.)
On Question, Bill read 1—, and to be printed.

DARTMOUTH HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS (RECONSTITUTION) BILL. [H.L.]
Read 2ª, and committed.

REGULATION OF COAL MINES.
LORD ASKWITH: My Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government whether they propose that all the provisions of Part II. of the Mining Industry Act, 1920, shall cease to have effect, or whether they intend to propose a Resolution to the contrary, under Section 17 of the said Act, before the expiration of 30 days from February 7, 1922, the date of a Report by the Secretary of Mines now laid before Parliament in which it is intimated that those entitled to appoint representatives for carrying out Part II. of the Act have failed to avail themselves of such right.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (VISCOUNT PEEL): My Lords, I think the best way in which I can answer the Question of the noble Lord is merely to read a letter which has been addressed to-day by the Prime Minister to Mr. Frank Hodges. That really deals with the whole point of the noble Lord's Question. The letter is as follows:—
"February 22, 1922.
"Dear Mr. Hodges,—His Majesty's Government have carefully considered your letter of February 11, relating to Part II. of the Mining Industry Act, and the request of your executive committee that the Government should move Parliament to pass Resolutions under Section 17 of the Act for the purpose of keeping the provisions of Part II. in force.
"You will already have read the correspondence which has passed between the Secretary for Mines and the. Mining Association on this subject, and I may say at once that I entirely share Mr. Bridgeman's views in regard to the attitude that the coal owners have adopted.
"At the same time I cannot ignore the fact that Part II. in the main does DO more than provide regular opportunities for discussion between the owners and management and the workpeople, and that its ultimate value must depend entirely upon the manner and the spirit in which those opportunities are used.
"At a time when the opposition to these provisions came from your side, a member of your executive said:
"Of course, the Bill cannot be operated without the whole-hearted co-operation of owners and men.'
"That statement is equally true to-day, when the opposition conies from the other side. Legislation cannot convert an unwilling man into a willing one. I fear, therefore, that so long as either party is opposed to the scheme it would be of no real value to the industry, and, in the circumstances, the Government do not feel that they would be justified in moving Parliament to keep Part II. of the Act in force.
"Yours sincerely,
"D. LLOYD GEORGE."
LORD ASKWITH: I am much obliged to the noble Viscount. The letter he has read explains the matter.

STANDING JOINT COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS.
THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (THE EARL OF CRAWFORD): My Lords, I beg to make the Motion which stands in the name of the noble Earl, Lord Lytton.
Moved, That the following Lords be appointed to serve on the Standing Joint Committee on Indian Affairs, and that the Committee have power to agree with the Commons upon the appointment of a Chairman—

E. Midleton.

E. Buxton.

V. Hutchinson (E. Donoughmore).

L. Harris.

L. Chelmsford.

L. Lamington

L. Islington.

L. Carmichael.

L. Sydenham.

L. Clywd.

L. Meston.

—(The Earl of Cranford.)
On Question, Motion agreed to.
Ordered, That a Message be sent to the Commons acquainting them of the appointment of eleven Lords to serve on the Committee, and requesting them to appoint eleven members of that House to be joined to the said Committee, pursuant to the Resolution of this House of February 14, and to the Message of the House of Commons of yesterday signifying their concurrence in the said Resolution.

CLINICAL THERMOMETERS BILL [H.L.]
Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
LORD STANMORE: My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend, Lord SOMERLEYTON, I beg to move the Second Reading of this Bill. Under the Defence of the Realm Regulations power was given to the Minister of Munitions during the war, in the interests of sick and wounded
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members of the Armed Forces of the Crown, to prohibit the sale of clinical thermometers winch had not been properly tested and approved. This Bill proposes to continue these provisions, the value of which has been universally recognised by the medical profession. It has the warm approval of the manufacturers of clinical thermometers. It is not intended that the Bill shall apply to the export trade in thermometers, unless the Board of Trade so directs. I beg to move.
Moved, That the Bill be now read 2ª.(Lord Stanmore.)
On Question, Bill read 2ª and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

CORONERS (EMERGENCY PROVISIONS CONTINUANCE) BILL. [H.L.]
Read 3ª (according to Order), and passed, and sent to the Commons.

RATING IN SCOTLAND.
LORD LAMINGTON: My Lords, I wish to ask His Majesty's Government when the Report on Rating in Scotland will be laid on the Table.
LORD STANMORE: My Lords, a Departmental Committee under the Chairmanship of the noble Lord, Lord Dunedin, was appointed by my right hon. friend the Secretary for Scotland in March, 1921, with the following terms of reference:—
"To inquire into the present system under which taxation is raised by local authorities for local purposes in Scotland, to report whether the system is equitable and economical and, if not, to suggest what alterations in the system are desirable."
I am informed by Lord Dunedin that the Committee have concluded the hearing of evidence, and that he is engaged in drafting a Report for discussion with his colleagues. He hopes that the presentation of a Report will not be long delayed.
House adjourned at twenty minutes past four o'clock.