BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 23 July 1928)

§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (THE EARL OF BIRKENHEAD)
My Lords, I beg leave to move the Motion that stands upon the Paper, in the name of my noble friend the Lord Privy Seal, relating to the order of business at next Wednesday's sitting.

§ LORD NEWTON
My Lords, may I ask why the Racecourse Betting Bill is to be in charge of a private member? If I am not mistaken, one of the Ministers of the Crown was responsible for this Bill during its later stages in another place.

§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)
My Lords, as you are aware, when this Bill was originally presented to Parliament it was presented in the name of a private member in another place. It is quite true, as my noble friend has said, that towards the later stage of the Bill the Government undertook a certain responsibility for it, but my noble friend Lord Hamilton of Dalzell has been so closely associated with the Bill, as my noble friend probably knows, during all the stages through which it has passed and, indeed, for a long time previously, that it appeared to be wise that he should undertake the primary function of submitting it to your Lordships. I am perfectly certain that, if it is a good thing—and I am sure that it is—that Bills should be presented to your Lordships by those who are most completely masters of the subject, you cannot do better than listen to my noble friend Lord Hamilton.

§ LORD NEWTON
I asked my question only in order to make sure that His Majesty's Government will not disclaim any responsibility.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
My noble friend may rest assured that any responsibility that is undertaken by the Government in another place remains upon the Government in this House.