§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD MOYNE)My Lords the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, was passed immediately before the outbreak of war. It was originally passed for one year, but Section 11 (1) provided for its extension for a year from the date on which it would otherwise have expired if an Order in Council directing such continuance were at any time passed during the period the Act was in force. Another Emergency Powers (Defence) Act was passed in 1940, which extended the life of the original Act to two years. These two years end on August 23 next. As these Acts form the basis of our elaborate war-time system of Defence Regulations, it is vital to our war effort that they should remain in force. The original power of extension by Order in Council still applies, and I beg to move a humble Address with that object in view.
§ Moved, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty in pursuance of subsection (1) of Section eleven of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, praying that the said Act as amended by any subsequent enactment be continued in force for a further period of one year beginning with the twenty-fourth day of August, nineteen hundred and forty-one.—(Lord Moyne.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to: the said Address to be presented to His Majesty by the Lords with White Staves.