HL Deb 24 November 1925 vol 62 cc832-3

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

THE EARL OF PLYMOUTH

My Lords, I think that the Second Reading of this Bill is more or less a formal proceeding in your Lordships' House. If any noble Lord wishes to raise any point of detail, I gather that this is usually done on the Committee stage, when noble Lords representing the Departments concerned are present to reply. There is just one point to which I think I ought to refer in moving the Second Reading of the Bill. The Select Committee on the Expiring Laws (Continuance) Bill, 1922, recommended that there should be a periodical review by a Select Committee, at intervals of three years, in order that there should be no further congestion in the Schedule of the Act. Accordingly a Committee was appointed in March of this year and it made certain specific recommendations with regard to making certain Acts permanent and continuing other Acts temporarily. The Bill before your Lordships has followed out these recommendations, except in one small particular. The Committee included amongst the Bills to be continued the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act of 1914, but added a note to the effect that that Act was no longer required and would consequently be dropped. Further investigation has shown that there are certain orders under that Act still being acted upon and, in consequence, that Act has been included in the Second Schedule of this Bill to be continued till December 31, 1926. I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Earl of Plymouth.)

VISCOUNT HALDANE

My Lords, I see no reason to think that your Lordships' House will dissent from what has been laid down generally by the noble Earl, but I think it is just as well that he should give us a day or two before the Committee stage to look into the points which he has indicated, one of which at least is somewhat substantial. Perhaps the noble Earl will arrange for that.

LORD BANBURY OF SOUTHAM

My Lords, I hope that the noble Marquess the Leader of the House will consent to give us a day or two before the Committee stage is taken because I intend to move to leave out that Act which prevents cigarettes being sold after eight o'clock and chocolates before seven o'clock, or some absurd regulation of that sort.

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)

My Lords, of course we will consult the convenience of the Leader of the Opposition and of my noble friend in this matter. I do not know whether Thursday would suit the noble and learned Viscount for the next stage.

VISCOUNT HALDANE

Yes, I think we should be content with Thursday.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

Of course, if the House wishes for a little longer interval we shall be only too willing to meet noble Lords.

VISCOUNT HALDANE

I think we can do it on Thursday, but it might be better, in order to deal with some technical matters, if we fixed on Tuesday, if that is not too late.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

Not at all; we will take it on Tuesday next then.

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