HL Deb 23 March 1960 vol 222 cc147-8
EARL ST. ALDWYN

My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

Moved, That Leave of Absence granted to the Lord Delamere for the present Parliament be terminated forthwith.—(Earl St. Aldwyn.)

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, I would only say this in passing: that I am sure there is nobody in any part of your Lordships' House who would want to stand between the noble Lord, Lord Delamere, and his resumption of duties in the House. But I am bound to say—and I think a good many of my colleagues think the same—that it rather proves the idea we had when this particular rule was passed by the House: that it is almost bound to be farcical. Moreover, the notice in this case is very short. I must say that the Motion does not at all increase my confidence.

THE EARL OF SWINTON

My Lords, may I say one word, as Chairman of the All-Party Committee which reported on this matter? That Committee, the House will recollect, was unanimously in favour of a period of notice being given, but specifically recommended that in special cases there should be the power to the House to give immediate release from leave of absence. That was after full consideration, endorsed unanimously again by the House in its Standing Orders. I am sure I speak for all those who were on the Committee, and I should have thought for most noble Lords in this House, when I say that this particular case is exactly the kind of case which the Committee had in mind in making their recommendation, which the House unanimously endorsed.

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, the noble Leader of the Opposition, I think, will realise that it is extremely difficult for somebody living in a colonial territory or overseas to get sufficient notice of debates in this House, particularly when they arise at rather short notice. Therefore, after consultation we thought that in this case it would be reasonable—in fact, in some ways it shows that the arrangement is working.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, supposing this Motion were defeated, is there anything to prevent the noble Lord, Lord Delamere, from coming here and voting?

THE EARL OF HOME

No, my Lords. But why is the noble Viscount so gloomy? I do not think there will be a vote on this at all.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

I am only pointing out that the whole thing is a farce.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, I am much obliged for the Answer of the noble Leader. As I say, I personally do not want to stand in the way of any Member of your Lordships' House coming to this House. I have never been much in sympathy with the arrangement which was made, although we did not raise any opposition. From time to time this is bound to lead to further applications, and then one has the invidious task of deciding whether they are within the special circumstances or not. I think it is farcical.

On Question, Motion agreed to.