§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE) 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-two.
§ The noble Duke said: My Lords, Section eleven of the Emergency Powers Act, 1939, provided that the duration of the Act was limited to a period of one year, but the same section also provided for its extension by Order in Council for a further period of one year from the time at which it would otherwise expire. The Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1940, prolonged the life of the original Act for a period of two years and, by an Order in Council made on the 24th July, 1941, following an Address in both Houses of Parliament, the Act of 1939 was continued until the 23rd day of August this year. This Act is the basic authority for the code of Defence Regulations and their continuance. It is still vital to the success of our war effort and, although the task is not altogether grateful to one who has always endeavoured to resist all forms of tyranny and arbitrary power, I believe this Act is a necessity. I beg to move the Motion standing in my name.
§ 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-two.—(The Duke of Devonshire.)
53§ On Question, Motion agreed to: the said Address to be presented to His Majesty by the Lords with White Staves.