§ 3.13 p.m.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ Moved, That Standing Orders Nos. 35 and 41 be considered in order to their being dispensed with for the purpose of giving precedence on Tuesday next to the second reading of the Income Tax (Repayment of Post-War Credits) Bill over the other Orders of the Day and for taking the said Bill through its remaining stages.—(The Earl of Home.)
VISCOUNT STANSCATEMy Lords, I just wanted to say that inasmuch as the Parliament Act has made all the formal stages of certified Bills quite meaningless, would it not be a good idea to embody in the Standing Orders of this House something like the words of this Resolution, so that your Lordships' House should recognise its position of complete impotence in finance matters?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I shall be very willing to consider any constructive suggestion the noble Viscount puts forward.
VISCOUNT STANSGATFMy Lords, I could not make a more constructive suggestion than that the noble Earl's own words should be embodied in the Standing Orders of the House.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, as I say, I am very willing to consider any constructive suggestion, and perhaps this one is worth following up.
LORD SALTOUNMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl the Leader of the House whether it is not the case that, if the noble Viscount will examine the situation narrowly and carefully, he will find that he is wrongly instructed in the matter?
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, that is a general statement I will examine with great pleasure, but it would be helpful if the noble Lord would give me some particulars late on.
§ On Question. Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.