HL Deb 03 April 1924 vol 57 cc155-8

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD ARNOLD)

My Lords, I can explain the provisions of this Bill in a few sentences. The Bill is non-contentious, and is the necessary corollary to an Amendment accepted by the late Government to Section 4 of the Industrial Assurance Bill, 1923. During the Report stage in the House of Commons last summer, the Amendment which the late Government accepted increased

But, as the House knows, the state of business in the House of Commons is such that it is impossible to give a pledge as to what will be the position when this Bill goes down—as I cannot help feeling certain that it will go down—to another place. It is impossible to say in what position that House will find itself with regard to this Bill, when considered in addition to all the other legislation that is before that House. I cannot help thinking that your Lordships will refuse the Amendment which has been proposed to-night, and I most earnestly hope that a Second Reading will be given to the Bill.

On Question, Whether the word "now" shall stand part of the Motion?—

Their Lordships divided: Contents, 32; Not-Contents, 3.

CONTENTS
Haldane, V. (L. Chancellor.) Bertie of Thame, V. Emmott, L.
Cave, V. Harris, L.
Parmoor, L. (L. President.) Cecil of Chelwood, V. Illingworbh, L.
Cobham, V. Merthyr, L.
Bradford, E. Knutsford, V. Muir Mackenzie, L.
Buxton, E. Shuttleworth, L.
De La Warr, E. Arnold, L. Somerleyton, L.
Eldon, E. Balfour of Burleigh, L. Stuart of Wortley, L.
Mayo, E. Banbury of Southam, L. [Teller.] Sumner, L.
Onslow, E. Teynham, L.
Plymouth, E. Biddulph, L. Thomson, L.
Russell, E. Danesfort, L. [Teller.] Wavertree, L.
NOT-CONTENTS.
Fairfax of Cameron, L [Teller.] L. Newton, L. Raglan, L. [Teller.]

in the case of industrial assurance companies the aggregate amounts which, under Section 62 of the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, can legally be insured or paid on the death of children under ten. The increased amounts which can be legally insured or paid are set forth in Clause 2 of the Bill. These higher amounts are intended to meet the largely increased cost of funerals and everything connected with them, as compared with many years ago.

The Amendment accepted by the Government last year applied only to industrial assurance companies. It was subsequently found, as a matter of construction, not to apply to collecting societies, and this Bill will adjust that matter. The Amendment did not, and could not, apply to friendly societies and to trade unions. The Solicitor-General accepted the Amendment last year on the strict understanding that the Opposition would not oppose any measure which might be necessary to extend this proposal to friendly societies and trade, unions. He indicated that this extension would be by a short, non-contentious Bill, and it is such a Bill which I now submit to your Lordships. Unless the present Bill is passed, business for the insurance of children under ten at the increased limits can only be effected by industrial assurance companies, and other bodies which normally do this class of assurance will remain confined to the old limits. It is therefore only fair that this Bill should be passed, and, if I may say so, passed as soon as possible, so that the law may apply equally not only to industrial assurance companies, but also to friendly societies, including collecting societies, and to trade unions.

There is one other provision in the Bill about which I ought to say a word. It is in regard to Clause 1, which enacts that a person who has held the office of Assistant Registrar for not less than five years shall be qualified to be appointed Chief Registrar. I may say that Assistant Registrars have always, in fact, been either barristers or solicitors, but, as the Statute stands, an Assistant Registrar who does not happen to be a barrister of twelve years standing could not be considered for the post of Chief Registrar, even though his work as Assistant Registrar may have demonstrated beyond all possibility of doubt, his competence to perform the duties of Chief Registrar. I think your Lordships will agree that an artificial barrier of this kind to promotion is obviously undesirable in the organisation of an office. I beg to move.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a—(Lord Arnold.)

On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.