Local Legislation (Scotland) Act, 1899.

– in the House of Commons at on 31 March 1926.

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Photo of Mr George Buchanan Mr George Buchanan , Glasgow Gorbals

I rise to ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on a comparatively minor point, but one of some importance to Scottish Members. Under the Local Legislation (Scotland) Act, 1899, it is in the purview of the Chairman of Ways and Means, in the case of a Scottish Bill dealing with local legislation, to have it considered here in London if he thinks the subject matter of sufficient importance to warrant that course. On the other hand, the Chairman of Ways and Means under this Act can send such a Bill, if he chooses, to Scotland to be considered by a Committee, there. The case which I wish to cite concerns a Provisional Order Bill promoted by the Greenock Corporation. I have carefully watched the Parliamentary Papers for some notice regarding that Bill which contains a Clause of tremendous importance to a large number of Scottish Members, if not to other Members from other parts of the country. That Bill, instead of being retained here to go through the ordinary course of procedure, is being sent up to Edinburgh to go before a local Committee. I wish to know if I have any Parliamentary means of raising the issue as to whether or not it is right to send a Bill containing a Clause of this character to be dealt with in Edinburgh. The Bill was never advertised, and up to this stage we have had no opportunity of raising the matter.

Photo of Mr John Whitley Mr John Whitley , Halifax

I think the hon. Member has not read the Act with sufficient care—I mean the Local Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act, 1899. If he will look at it again, he will see that under Section 2 all Scottish petitions for powers must be heard in Scotland, unless the Chairman of Ways and Means in this House and the Chairman in the other House together think these are of such a nature that they ought to be considered here at Westminster. That is just the other way round from what the hon. Member has suggested. That is the duty of the two Chairmen set forth in Section 2 of the Act, and they have to perform that duty under the conditions set out in the Statute.

Photo of Mr George Buchanan Mr George Buchanan , Glasgow Gorbals

I was aware that the two Chairmen had the right to decide whether or not a Bill was of sufficient importance to be retained here. My point is that in this case they have allowed a Bill, which has never been properly advertised and which contains a Clause of great importance to many Members of this House, to go to Edinburgh, and I wish to know if I have any Parliamentary means of raising the question as to why a Bill with such an important Clause hidden in it, should go to Edinburgh instead of going through the ordinary process here.

Photo of Mr John Whitley Mr John Whitley , Halifax

I am afraid that the form of procedure laid down in the Statute is not a matter which can be reviewed by the House.

Photo of Mr George Buchanan Mr George Buchanan , Glasgow Gorbals

Have we no way of raising the question of the conduct of the Chairman of Ways and Means and the other Chairman in this matter? I do not mean to make any implication whatever as regards their honesty in any way, but, merely as a matter of Parliamentary procedure, can we not question why they have taken this action?

Photo of Mr John Whitley Mr John Whitley , Halifax

No, certainly not. But the hon. Member must recollect that these Provisional Orders have to come up at a later stage for confirmation by Parliament There will then be an opportunity when he can raise any question, if his point be not dealt with by the Committee which sits in Scotland.