HL Deb 13 May 1959 vol 216 cc363-4

First Schedule page 15, line 44, at end insert— ("11. The Secretary of State may provide the services of such officers and servants as the Commission may require.")

LORD FORBES

My Lords, the effect of this Amendment is that the staff of the Commission will be civil servants. Had this not been so, the Bill would have had to include extremely elaborate superannuation provisions. As this is the final Amendment, perhaps your Lordships will allow me to extend this discussion for one minute further. This Bill has had a rough passage. There is no doubt that it has been improved since I introduced it into your Lordships' House. I personally am very thankful that the provisions of this Bill will become effective without delay, as the noblest animals in the hills of Scotland have suffered for too long from ignoble treatment. Now, at last, both deer and farmers will have the protection they deserve, and the sportsman will not be denied his sport. I am grateful to noble Lords on all sides of the House for bringing this Scottish Bill to the Statute Book. I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.

Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Lord Forbes.)

LORD GREENHILL

My Lords, if I have refrained from taking part in the discussion on any of the Amendments that have been moved this afternoon it is not because I have complete agreement with the improvements that were introduced in another place but because I think that the Bill, as a whole, is a very great advance on what has obtained hitherto. I think that at last we are in a position which we have tried our best to achieve; that is, to reconcile the needs of the deer-forest owner with those of the sheep farmer. This has not been an easy process. so far as I can understand. It has been the outcome of long and careful negotiation; and I think the Government are to be congratulated on bringing forward this piece of legislation, which I hope will now inure to the benefit of our country as a whole.

THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND

My Lords, for many years I have been pressing this question of the deer in Scotland, and I am grateful and thankful that at last the matter is to be settled.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, from these Benches, as one who took a little part in the earlier proceedings, I should like to add my tribute to that which has been paid by the noble Lord on my left. I think this is now a much better Bill than when it first was introduced, and I should like to add my tribute to that paid by my noble friend to the noble Lord, Lord Forbes, upon the very congenial and able way he has conducted this Bill during, its course through the House.

On Question, Motion agreed to.