OLD BILL AMENDED

Chronicle (Levin), 1 November 1947, Page 5

OLD BILL AMENDED

(N.Z.P.A.-

—Reuter,

British Goyernment Aims To Hurry Policy *

Copyright)

Received Saturday, 9.30 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 31. A Rill to amend fiie Parliament Act of 1911 was tabled in tJtie House of Commons today, as expected, reduces the term over wnich me House of Lords can ve,c legijiation irom two years to one. Reuter's political correspo'ndent commenis that ihe House of Lords, uncier the present Act, can delay this amending Bill until December, 1949, when it would be too late for the Govfcrnment to introduce the expected Bill to nationalise the iron and steel industry before the nexc eiections. The Government, however, has introduced in the Amending Bill a clause to make it retrospeedve -to cover legislation introduced between now and the end of 1949. The Government apparently intends to have the Iron and Steel Bill as nearly as possibie ready for Royal assent by the time the Parliament Act Amendment is completed. The corrcspondent says that the Government's purpose in making Ihe amendment retrospective is to ensure that any Bill approved twice in the House of Commons during this or the next session will become law before the end of Ihe present Parliament, even if the House of Lords witholds approval. It is pouited out that the House of Lords will retain a one year veto power, and coiaa delay Ihe Government's policy legislation beyond ihe expecctd date oi the eiections in 1950. ____