§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD SNELLMy Lords, the House of Commons Disqualification (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1941, was passed for one year only. Its main purpose was to provide that a Member of Parliament would not be disqualified from membership of the House by reason of his holding an office or place under the Crown if it was certified by the First Lord of the Treasury that his appointment was required in the public interest for purposes connected with the prosecution of the war. The Ministers of the Crown and House of Commons Disqualification Act, 1942, extended the 1941 Act for another year, and this Bill is still further to extend the powers that exist. I beg to move that it be read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Snell.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.