HL Deb 01 February 1949 vol 160 cc420-1

Clause 6, page 5, line 10, at end insert as a new clause:

Pensions for Persons Suffering Loss of Employment

". The Lord Chancellor may pay, out of moneys provided by Parliament, to or in respect of any person who suffers loss of employment in consequence of the abolition of the Commission and as to whom the Lord Chancellor, with the approval of the Treasury, determines that such provision should be made, such pension as he may so determine."

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, when this Bill was before your Lordships' House, I indicated to your Lordships that in another place it was probable that this Amendment would be moved, and that I had no doubt then, if it were moved, it would meet with the unanimous approval of your Lordships. The Amendment provides that The Lord Chancellor may pay, out of moneys provided by Parliament, to or in respect of any person who suffers loss of employment in consequence of the abolition of the Commission and as to whom the Lord Chancellor, with the approval of the Treasury, determines that such provision should be made, such pension as he may so determine. If the matter were entirely within the discretion of the Lord Chancellor, it would be likely that the pension, as a measure of the affection and regard in which he holds the most elderly and the youngest members of your Lordships' House, would be a substantial one. As it is, perhaps it is well, from the taxpayers' point of view, that the Lord Chancellor is likely to be controlled by the Treasury! I trust, however, that the pension, however substantial or insubstantial it may be, may be authorised and paid on the authority of the Lord Chancellor for many years to come. I beg to move that this House do agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.

Moved, That this House do agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(The Lord Chancellor.)

LORD LLEWELLIN

My Lords, the noble and learned Viscount who sits on the Woolsack indicated to your Lordships when the Bill was passing through this House that some such Amendment might be added in another place. Amongst others from these Benches, I then welcomed that suggestion. So far as we are concerned, we are glad to see that this Amendment has been effected in this Bill.

On Question, Motion agreed to.