§ Clause 4, page 8, line 21, leave out ("seven") and insert ("six")
§ Clause 4, page 8, line 21, leave out ("third") and insert ("second")
§ Clause 4, page 8, line 24, leave out (" two years ") and insert (" year ")
§ Clause 4, page 8, lines 26 and 27, leave out (" those two years ") and insert (" that year ").
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR:My Lords, I come now to the Amendments moved by the noble Lord, Lord Banbury of Southam, and although I cannot accept the first of them I am prepared to accept the later Amendment which does something of the same sort. I am dealing now with the Amendments to Clause 4, on page 8. One reason which the Commons have given is that privilege is involved. I am loath to raise questions of privilege if it can be avoided.
The Bill as it left another place proposed that the scheme might be brought 482 to an end if, in the year 1927 or any third succeeding year, the quota in houses had not been reached. Your Lordships amended this by proposing that the scheme might be brought to an end in the year 1926 and in any second succeeding year. The Commons disagree with these four Amendments because, in their opinion, they would entail a breach of the understanding not only with the building industry but also with the local authorities. Apart from this, and taking them purely on their merits, it is unreasonable to provide for the first review in 1926 instead of in 1927. Three years is considered to be the shortest reasonable period to allow of the necessary organisation to be in full running order. As to the proposal for biennial reviews instead of triennial, it is only right that a reasonable time should be allowed over which to average.
There may in any one year be some outstanding difficulty, such as an abnormally long winter or an unusually wet building season, which would unavoidably restrict the output, although the industry might well be in a position to overtake the reduction in numbers during the following years. Moreover, no industry can make arrangements for extending its resources if an accidental set of conditions in any year can bring the scheme to an end. I move that this House doth not insist upon the said Amendments.
§ Moved, That this House doth not insist upon the said Amendments.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY:My Lords, I understand that although this series of Amendments is not accepted, the Amendments which belong to the next clause and which deal to some extent with the same order of ideas are to be accepted.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR:Dealing with the same order of ideas, you say?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY:Yes; that is to say, the Commons have rejected the Amendments in regard to two years and three years on this clause, but have accepted them on the other clause.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR:There are two formal Amendments which follow 483 but they are consequential. I think that in lines 26 and 27 is also consequential.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.