HL Deb 07 February 1957 vol 201 cc601-2
THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)

My Lords, this is the first of three similar Motions standing in my name on the Order Paper. It may be the desire of the House that I should say what I have to say on the first and, if your Lordships accept that, that I should move the other two formally. I have no doubt that to most of your Lordships the procedure under this Act is more familiar than it was to me. Broadly speaking, the procedure originates in a resolution before the local authority, which goes before a town meeting; then, if either side complains of the result of the voting of the town meeting (which almost always the beaten side does), there is a local poll, and if that yields a positive result, an Order has to be laid for positive approval before both Houses of Parliament. In all these three cases there was a local poll, after the early procedure had taken its devious course. In each case the local poll supported the proposal by a substantial majority—in the two Welsh cases by an overwhelming majority; in the Sidmouth case by rather less. I think I have now said enough. I beg to move.

Moved, That the Order made by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for extending section one of the Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932, to the Urban District of Abertillery, be approved—(Viscount Hailsham.)

LORD BURDEN

My Lords, is it possible for the noble and learned Viscount to say whether the Order also includes details of the amount, in each instance, that the local authority are taking from the cinema people by way of Sunday entertainments tax?

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

My Lords, the Order does not so specify. This is a matter which, as the noble Lord is aware, has already been canvassed, and I think cm the 20th of this month the House will have an opportunity of discussing it more appropriately, perhaps, than in connection with the present Orders which do not really raise the topic.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

My Lords, I beg to move the second Order.

Moved, That the Order made by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for extending section one of the Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932, to the Urban District of Bedwellty, be approved—(Viscount Hailsham.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

My Lords, I beg to move the third Order.

Moved, That the Order made by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for extending section one of the Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932, to the Urban District of Sidmouth, be approved.—(Viscount Hailsham.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.