Cannot Sit in House

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6841, 23 April 1932, Page 5

Cannot Sit in House

BOARD OF TRADE PRESIDENT,

British Official Wireless,

RUGBY, April 21. Lord Hailsham in the House of Lords this evening mentioned what he described as a very remarkable situation. A very ingenious lawyer, ho said, had discovered that uo president of tho Board of Trade could sit in the House of Commons, and that if ho did he was disqualified for every day ho sat. “I think every president of the Board of Trade lias always sat in the House of Commons for many years past, and in these days of' financial stringency it is tempting to think how many millions of pounds could bo collected in penalties from those who have held this position in tho past,” remarked Lord Hailsham. It would be necessary to pass a Bill to indemnify those who have offended and regularise tho position, and tlic Attorney-General would tomorrow introduce a Bill and pass it through all stages in the House of Commons. A similar course would bo taken in the House of Lords on Monday, thus enabling the president of the Board of Trade, Mr. Runcimnn, In participate in next week's Commons debates.

Indemnifying- Bill Passed

Received Saturday, 1.15 a.m. LONDON, April 22. The House of Commons passed all stages of a Bill to indemnify successive presidents of tho Board of Trade against tho penalties imposed by the Act of Queen Anne.