NEw CLAUSE. — (Amendment of s. 134 of Government of Burma Act, 1935.)

Part of Orders of the Day — INDIA AND BURMA (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL. [Lords.] – in the House of Commons at on 24 January 1940.

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Photo of Mr Reginald Sorensen Mr Reginald Sorensen , Leyton West

Very briefly I would like to say that I must register my deep disappointment at the failure of the Government to appreciate exactly the significance of the Bill in regard to India and the impression which will be made on all classes of the Indian peoples who are most anxious to secure cordial cooperation with this country. I feel that this Bill may be tightening up the Government of India Act in technical fashion but with regard to Clauses 2, 4 and certain others I feel they will do infinitely more harm than good. I much regret that my own party in this respect has not sufficiently exercised its responsibility to the people of India by going into the Lobby against Clause 2. I want to put it on record that the party which I represent in a humble capacity and some other Members of it do look with great apprehension on Clause 2, and further I desire to express deep regret that the Government has not seen its way to suspend this matter, withdraw those contentious Clauses, or, at least, suspend them in view of the grave difficulties which are confronting India at the present time.

Amendment

As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.

Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.

In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.

The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.

CLAUSE

A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.

Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.

During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.

When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.

Clause

A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.

Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.

During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.

When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.