Orders of the Day — ELECTRICITY (SUPPLY) BILL [Lords].

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 25 Gorffennaf 1922.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr William Ormsby-Gore Mr William Ormsby-Gore , Stafford

A rather interesting point of procedure has been raised by what the Parliamentary Secretary has just stated, and what you, Mr. Speaker, have made so clear. Am I to understand that the Clause, as it now reads in the Bill, establishes this procedure for all time, or does it require to be implemented by the promise of the Government to pursue a particular course of action? I understood the Parliamentary Secretary to say that he had consulted the Government, that is to say, the Cabinet, and had received an interpretation of this Clause from them which would enable the matter, while they are in office, to be taken at such a time of day as would give hon. Members the opportunity of discussing it. What is to happen when another Government comes into power? Will the same interpretation be placed upon this Clause as it now stands? I should have thought it would have been safer to use rather more explanatory words: if possible, the same words as were used in the Government of India Act, on which the Burma Rules were founded. They laid down quite plainly the procedure which will be adopted by any Minister making rules under that Act, namely, that he has to come for an affirmative Resolution, to which Amendments of substance and procedure could be moved. It may be that that is the procedure which is permanently laid down in the case of these electricity Orders, but from what fell from the Parliamentary Secretary I was in a little doubt, and I want to have it quite clearly, from him, that his reference to the Government binds future Governments as well as the existing one.