§ 3.28 p.m.
§ Lord Mackay of Clashfern rose to move, That the report of the Committee of Privileges be agreed to [[H.L.] 175].
§ The noble and learned Lord said: My Lords, in the unavoidable absence of my noble and learned friend Lord Bridge of Harwich owing to illness, I rise to move the Motion standing in his name. Just in case there are any of your Lordships who have not had an opportunity of fully studying the report of the Committee for Privileges, perhaps I should say that the report concerns a petition for the determination of the abeyance in the Barony of Strange. The petitioner, who is the eldest daughter of the late Lord Strange, applies for this, but because of certain arrangements between herself and her two sisters who are co-heiresses to the barony it was necessary that the petition should be referred to the Committee for Privileges. After hearing the Attorney-General and counsel for the petitioner, the Committee decided that there was nothing improper in the arrangements between the parties and that accordingly the barony was at Her Majesty's disposal.
§ I should perhaps add that at this same meeting the committee reviewed the procedure for dealing with questions such as the one raised here, and in due course my noble and learned friend will propose to your Lordships for your consideration a report on that aspect of the matter. But it was thought right not to 1019 postpone this particular report until that report was ready. My Lords, I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Report of the Committee for Privileges be agreed to [[H.L.] 175].—(LordMackay of Clashfern.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.