The Local Services (Temporary Economies) Bill was introduced and has been on the Order Paper since July last. It has been decided to effect a change in the period of operation, from the financial year 1933-34 to the calendar year 1934. This necessitated an amendment of the long Title of the Bill, and some alterations in the Bill itself. It is for that reason I ask that this new Bill be substituted for the Local Services (Temporary Economies) Bill—item No. 17 on the Order Paper.
Local Authorities - (Temporary Economies) (No. 2) Bill, 1933—First Stage.
Question proposed: "That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for the making of deductions from remuneration payable during the year 1934 to persons employed by local authorities and from certain scales of expenses and to provide for other matters connected with the matters aforesaid and in particular to amend the Public Services (Temporary Economies) Act, 1933."—(Minister for Local Government and Public Health.)
Do I understand that it is not the Minister's intention to pass this Bill through all its stages before Christmas?
No. Of course if the House will agree to pass all the stages between this and to-morrow or Friday I shall be quite satisfied.
I am taking it that the Minister is not asking the House to do that?
No.
I take it the Bill means that local authorities will be entitled to the same legality as the Minister for Finance had in making deductions from the salaries of officials from the 1st January. Is that the intention?
Surely not.
I am afraid it is. The other Bill has been withdrawn. We should have had an apology for its withdrawal and a better explanation for the substitution of the new Bill. I am now pointing out the weakness there is in the second Bill.
But Deputies have not seen the second Bill.
The Title discloses what I have stated. The financial year of any local authority is from the 1st April to the 31st March. This Bill deals with a calendar year, so that deductions, I presume, must take place in that calendar year.
Leave granted. Second Stage fixed for 31st January, 1934.