HL Deb 18 February 1932 vol 83 cc628-9

Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee read.

Moved, That the House do now resolve itself into Committee.—(The Earl of Lucan.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.

House in Committee accordingly:

[The EARL OF ONSLOW in the Chair.]

Clauses 1 to to 4 agreed to.

Clause 5:

Provision as to office of Land Purchase Commissioner.

5. It shall be lawful for a Judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland to hold the office of Land Purchase Commissioner for Northern Ireland, but he shall not receive any remuneration in respect of that office.

LORD MOUNT TEMPLE had given Notice to move to leave out Clause 5. The noble Lord said: Since I put my Amendment on the Paper I have had the advantage of a communication from the Home Office who are in charge of this Bill. That communication has in no way shaken my belief that it is unsound for a Judge of the Supreme Court to be also a member of the Land Purchase Commission. I am fortified in that belief by the fact that at present it is not legal for a Judge of the Supreme Court to hold that office. But it has been pointed out to me that there are really two reasons why this clause should be passed. In the first place, the land purchase, which is compulsory in Northern Ireland, will automatically be finished in twelve months time. Therefore, as this gentleman who is now a Judge has been acting as a Judicial Commissioner for some time it would be well to continue his experience in the Commission for the short twelve months which will elapse before the purchase is completed. In the second place, as economy is now the order of the day and he is not going to receive any remuneration, it would be well to save the salary of a Commissioner for twelve months. In those circumstances I do not move my Amendment.

THE EARL OF LUCAN

I beg to thank the noble Lord for what he has said. What he said is also what I was going to tell your Lordships—that the appointment as Judicial Commissioner of this gentleman who has now become a Judge is thought to be in the best interests of economy and efficiency. I am much obliged to the noble Lord.

Clause 5 agreed to.

Remaining clauses; agreed to.

Bill reported without amendment.