HL Deb 18 July 1947 vol 150 c1007

Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee on re-commitment of the Bill read.

Moved, That the House do now resolve itself into Committee.—(Lord Henderson.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.

House in Committee accordingly.

[The EARL OF DROGHEDA in the Chair.]

LORD LLEWELLIN

I did want to draw your Lordships' attention to one point on Clause 6, which I think is a very proper clause to protect the London Passenger Transport Board and its railways. If your Lordships will look at paragraph 7 of that clause, it says: "The Minister shall be responsible for and make good to the Board …" We had a little discussion in this House yesterday, when we proposed that the word "may" in another Bill should be substituted by "shall," and we were told that it raised grave constitutional issues. I just rise to say that here it is in this Bill.

LORD HENDERSON

In response to the point made by the noble Lord, I think we shall have to leave it and hope that there will be no constitutional crises!

Bill reported without amendment.