COMPENSATION (DEFENCE) BILL.

HL Deb 01 September 1939 vol 114 cc944-5

Read 1^a.

11.16 p.m.

LORD TEMPLEMORE

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be read a second time. It is a Bill to authorise and regulate the payment of compensation in respect to the requisitioning of property and other similar action taken under certain emergency powers, including powers defined by the Regulations recently made under the Emergency Powers Act of this year, which was passed through all its stages on Thursday, August 24. A Compensation Bill is a necessary supplement to the emergency powers; without it there might be doubts and difficulties as to whether compensation would be payable, and on what terms. The Defence Regulations authorise "a competent authority to take possession of land," and further authorise the requisitioning of property other than land, including, for example, a British ship, but the Defence Regulations do not provide how the owners of property thus requisitioned or taken are to be paid. This is to be provided in the present Bill, which is really an essential part of the scheme for requisitioning in an emergency. Until the Bill is law there is no code regulating the standard of payment or providing how the figures of compensation are to be arrived at.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2^a.—(Lord Templemore.)

On Question, Bill read 2^a: Committee negatived.

Bill read 3^a, and passed, and a Message sent to the Commons to acquaint them therewith.

House adjourned during pleasure.

House resumed.

REGIONAL COMMISSIONERS BILL.

MINISTERS OF THE CROWN (EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS) BILL.

WAR DAMAGE TO LAND (SCOTLAND) BILL.

Brought from the Commons.

11.24 p.m.

EARL STANHOPE

My Lords, I beg to move, That it is the opinion of this House that it is essentially necessary for the public security that the Bills this day brought from the House of Commons intituled Regional Commissioners Bill, Ministers of the Crown (Emergency Appointments) Bill, and War Damage to Land (Scotland) Bill should forthwith be proceeded in with all possible despatch, and that notwithstanding Standing Orders Nos. LIV and XXXIX the Lord Chancellor ought forthwith to put the Question upon every stage of the said Bills in which this House should think it necessary for the public security to proceed therein.

Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.