§ 5.10 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, the object of this Bill is to validate the elections of four Members of the Northern Ireland House of Commons and of one Member of the Senate, and to indemnify them against common informer actions. The Bill also seeks to protect from such actions the late Mr. Henry Fleming. Like the other five persons with whom the Bill is concerned, Mr. Fleming held an office of profit under the Crown, and this disqualified him from membership of the Northern Ireland Senate.
The facts of these disqualifications have been ascertained by the respective Houses of Stormont, but legislation here at Westminster is necessary because the Northern Ireland Parliament has no power to legislate on the subject. The law for the time being in force relating to disqualification from membership of the other place applies also, by virtue of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, to both Houses of 785 the Northern Ireland Parliament. By validating the actions of Sir William McCleery and Sir Norman Strong, the Bill automatically validates their actions as Minister of Northern Ireland and as Speaker of the Northern Ireland House of Commons respectively. My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a, —(Lord Mancroft.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a; Committee negatived.