OLD LAW UNEARTHED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21165, 23 April 1932, Page 11

OLD LAW UNEARTHED.

BAR to seat in commons. REMEDIAL ACTION TAKEN. (Received April 22, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 22. Viscount Hailsham, speaking in the House of Lords, mentioned what be described as a most remarkable situation. A very ingenious lawyer, ho said, had discovered that under an Act of the reign of Queen Anne no President of the Board of Trade could sit in the House of Commons, and that, if he did so he could be disqualified for every day he sat. "I think every President of the Board of Trade has always sat in the House of Commons for many years past, ' said Lord Hailsham. "Tn these days of financial stringency it is tempting to think how many million pounds could be collected in penalties from those who held the position in the past. It will be necessary to pass a bill to indemnify those who have offended and to regularise the position." The Attorney-General, Sir Thomas Inskip, introduced a bill and passed it. through all stages in thb House of Commons to idemnify successive Presidents

of the Board of Trade against the penalties imposed by the old Act. A similar course will be taken by the Lords on Monday so as to enable the President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Walter Runciniau, to participate in next week's debates in the House of Commons.