§ 7.11 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD CRAIGTONMy Lords, the purpose of this Bill is to increase from £4,000 to £7,500 the maximum allow 168 ance which may be made in any year to cover the expenses incurred by the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. More than one Member of your Lordships' House has held this ancient office with distinction, and I need not spend time discussing its purpose and its history. The Lord High Commissioner, as Her Majesty's personal representative at the Assembly, symbolises the Crown's deep and continuing interest in the welfare of the Church of Scotland. In that capacity, the Lord High Commissioner discharges a function of importance and dignity, rightly held in high esteem. In the course of his duties the Lord High Commissioner has to incur certain expenses. He takes up residence in Holyroodhouse, which has to be prepared for the purpose, and he offers hospitality to members of the Assembly, distinguished visitors and guests from all walks of life in Scotland.
Expenses are met by an allowance from the Consolidated Fund. In 1948 the maximum allowance, which had for over a century stood at £2,000, was increased to £4,000. That figure has for several years proved not to be enough and must now be increased. There is a special need to make a larger sum available in 1960, because the General Assembly will hold two meetings, the Ordinary Meeting in May and a Special Meeting in October to celebrate the Fourth Centenary of the Scottish Reformation. The figure of £7,500 will enable these special expenses to be met, and provide a reasonable margin for future years. As is clear from the terms of the Bill, £7,500 is a maximum figure. The amount actually paid each year will be determined by the Secretary of State and the Treasury after reviewing the previous year's expenditure, and after consultation with the Purse Bearer, acting on behalf of the Lord High Commissioner.
Those distinguished Members of your Lordships' House who have held the office of Lord High Commissioner will know far better than I how necessary and justified this Bill is. It is not right to expect the Lord High Commissioner to go on every year putting himself or his friends to substantial financial sacrifice, if for no other reason than that this would limit to persons of substantial private means 169 an appointment for which should be chosen the man best qualified on personal merits, whatever his rank or means. I do not think it is necessary for me to say any more. I am confident that your Lordships will readily give this Bill a Second Reading. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Craigton.)
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, unfortunately our Scottish Members cannot be here tonight, but I entirely agree with the last sentence of the Minister. We have recollections of people like Jimmy Brown, George Mathers and others, and we think you should do what is necessary. Therefore, we give this Bill an unopposed Second Reading.
§ LORD BOOTHBYMy Lords, before this Bill receives its Second Reading, I should like to say that I entirely approve of it. But I could not let the occasion go without expressing slight personal regret that some part of the money will be used in the forthcoming year to celebrate the memory of John Knox, who is no hero of mine. Subject to that reservation, I am fully in favour of the Bill.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a: Committee negatived.