§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ 4.59 p.m.
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, this is a small Bill dealing with a domestic matter of the House of Commons. It provides for Treasury assistance to their Members' Fund which provides pensions and grants to ex-Members and their widows in case of distress. I beg to move that the Bill be now given a Second Reading.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Hawke.)
§ LORD GREENHILLMy Lords, one feels a little uncomfortable in commenting on this Bill, but one has the feeling that if another place were as generous to Members of this place as we apparently are to Members of the other place everything would work much more smoothly.
§ LORD BURDENMy Lords, perhaps I may say a word on this Bill. It would be quite indelicate on our part to comment on the private arrangements or arrangements which are being made in this Bill by Members of another place who have passed the Bill. I do not know 891 whether it is a Money Bill or not. I gather from the noble Lord that it is not. I cannot say that I have any personal interest in it, though for eight years I contributed to the Fund, and the money I contributed remains there for the benefit of the Fund. Still, I hope that the delicacy, which I am sure your Lordships will observe in regard to this Bill, may be reciprocated at a convenient time by Members of another place.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a: Committee negatived.