§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD MUIR MACKENZIEMy Lords, I need not detain you many minutes over this Bill, because, like many others in previous years, it is introduced and submitted to your Lordships for the sole object of being referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills which is in course of being set up by communications between this and the other House. I still have some hope that, although it can only be a short time before Parlament expects and hopes to adjourn, there is just a chance that that Committee may be constituted and may contrive to have a sitting in time for this Bill to be run through and receive the Royal Assent before the Recess—an object which it is really very desirable to attain if possible. I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Muir Mackenzie.)
THE EARL OF ONSLOWMy Lords, as I explained when I had to do with the Local Government Act which was passing through your Lordships' House, that Act did not attempt to deal with the Poor 118 Law as it stood consolidated under the Act of 1927, it only dealt with the transfer of functions to the county councils and county borough councils; and I told your Lordships that when the new authorities had acquired experience of their new duties, and had thorough knowledge of the working of the Poor Law, the amendment of the Act of 1927 would be considered and discussed with those authorities. I should like to know whether the introduction of this Consolidation Bill is a forerunner of that policy.
§ LORD MUIR MACKENZIEI do not think that I am in a position to give a definite and precise answer to the noble Earl, but this I certainly can say, that if the subject of the Poor Law is to be dealt with it is of great importance that this consolidation should be in the hands of those who are interested in drafting any future Bill, for the purpose of putting into definite and intelligible form any changes which it is desired to make.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.
§ House adjourned at twenty minutes before six o'clock.