The Preamble.

Whereas it is expedient that provision should be made for regulating the relations between the two Houses of Parliament: And whereas it is intended to substitute for the House of Lords as it at present exists a Second Chamber constituted on a popular instead of hereditary basis, but such substitution cannot be immediately brought into operation: And whereas provision will require hereafter to be made by Parliament in a measure effecting such substítution for limiting and defining the powers of the new Second Chamber, but it is expedient to make such provision as in this Act appears for restricting the existing powers of the House of Lords: Be it therefore enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Powers of House of Lords as to
Money Bills.

I. (1) If a Money Bill, having been passed by the House of Commons, and sent up to the House of Lords at least one month before the end of the session, is not passed by the House of Lords without amendment within one month after it is so sent up to that House, the Bill shall, unless the House of Commons direct to the contrary, be presented to His Majesty and become an Act of Parliament on the Royal Assent being signified, notwithstanding that

the House of Lords have not consented to the Bill.

(2) A Money Bill means a Bill which in the opinion of the Speaker of the House of Commons contains only provisions dealing with all or any of the following subjects, namely, the imposition, repeal, remission, alteration, or regulation of taxation; charges on the Consolidated Fund or the provision of money by Parliament; supply; the appropriation, control, or regulation of public money; the raising or guarantee of any loan or the repayment thereof; or matters incidental to those subjects or any of them.

(3) When a Bill to which the House of Lords has not consented is presented to His Majesty for assent as a Money Bill, the Bill shall be accompanied by a certificate of the Speaker of the House of Commons that it is a Money Bill. (4) No amendment shall be allowed to a Money Bill which, in the opinion of the Speaker of the House of Commons, is such as to prevent the Bill retaining the character of a Money Bill.

Restriction of the Powers of the House of Lords as to Bills other than Money Bills.

II. (1) If any Bill other than a Money Bill is passed by the House of Commons in three successive sessions (whether of the same Parliament or not), and, having been sent up to the House of Lords at least one month before the end of the session, is rejected by the House of Lords in each of those sessions, that Bill shall, on its rejection for the third time by the House of Lords, unless the House of Commons direct to the contrary, be presented to His Majesty and become an Act of Parliament on the Royal Assent being signified thereto, notwithstanding that the House of Lords has not consented to the Bill: Provided that this provision shall not take effect unless two years have elapsed between the date of the first introduction of the Bill in the House of Commons and the date on which it passes the House of Commons for the third time.

(2) A Bill shall be deemed to be rejected by the House of Lords if it is not passed by the House of Lords either without amendment or with such amendments only as may be agreed to by both Houses.

(3) A Bill shall be deemed to be the same Bill as a former Bill sent up to the House of Lords in the preceding session if, when it is sent up to the House of Lords, it is identical with the former Bill or contains only such alterations as are certified by the Speaker of the House of Commons to be necessary owing to the time which has elapsed since the date of the former Bill, or to represent amendments which have been made by the House of Lords in the former Bill in the preceding session.

Provided that the House of Commons may, if they think fit, on the passage of such a Bill through the House in the second or third session, suggest any further amendments without inserting the amendments in the Bill, and any such suggested amendments shall be considered by the House of Lords, and if agreed to by that House, shall be treated as amendto by the House of Commons; but the exercise ments made by the House of Lords and agreed of this power by the House of Commons shall not affect the operation of this section in the event of the Bill being rejected by the House of Lords.

Certificate of Speaker.

III. Any certificate of the Speaker of the House of Commons given under this Act shall be questioned in any court of law. be conclusive for all purposes, and shall not

Rights and Privileges of the
Commons.

IV. Nothing in this Act shall diminish or qualify the existing rights and privileges of the House of Commons.

Duration of Parliament.

V. Five years shall be substituted for seven years as the time fixed for the maximum duration of Parliament under the Septennial Act, 1715.

VI. This Act may be cited as the Parliament Act, 1910.

The Treasury (Temporary Borrowing) Act (r.a. March 8th, was passed to meet the position brought about by the rejection of the Budget Bill of 1909, and the consequent loss of revenue, by the extension of the power to borrow for "ways and means." Power was taken to meet the payment of any Treasury bills, by the issue of more bills payable not later than Sept. 30th, 1910. Also, power was taken to suspend the payment of "that portion of the permanent annual charge for the National Debt which is not required for the annual charges directed by the National Debt and Local Loans Act, 1887, or any other Act, to be paid out of that charge, or for the redemption of any Exchequer Bonds issued under section 7 of the Finance Act, 1905, which are drawn for redemption on April 18th, 1910." Similarly, the War Loan (Redemption) Act, 1910 (r.a. March 8th), provides for the raising of £21,000,000 by means of Exchequer bonds to meet the sums required for the redemption of War stock or War bonds under section 2 of sub-section 4 of the War Loan Act of 1900. The expenses of this process are charged to the annual charge on account of the National Debt.

The Ancient Monuments Protection Act (r.a. March 24th), extends the powers of the Acts of 1882 and 1900 as to bequests or gifts of monu

ments.

I

The Consolidated Funds Acts, No. 1 and No. 2 (r.a. March 24th and June 17th), together with the Appropriation Act (r.a. July 26th), form the laws appropriating public money for the support of the vast administration of the British Government. As usual the Consolidated Fund Acts provided credits for the Treasury to the amounts specified in them severally, namely, £901,672 to complete the previous year, 1909-10, and £24,122,400 to meet the temporary necessities of the current year 1910-11, and again (No. 2 Bill) £15,860,600 further for the current year. These sums, together with all the detailed "votes" of money, were afterwards collected into the Appropriation Act, which empowers the Treasury to issue money to the sum of £95,297,884, and no more, for the services of the current year, in addition to other sums, £32,856,611 or so, which are not voted annually. This is an Act which the electors of Parliament have never known as it deserves to be known, and that every year. The powers of the Treasury and the limitations of those powers should be

studied in relation to the Audit Act of 1856.

The East India Loans (Railways and Irrigation) Act (r.a. March 24th) gives power to the Secretary of State for India to raise in the United Kingdom money to the amount not exceeding £25,000,000, for constructing, extending, and equipping railways in India, and for constructing irrigation works, and for other purposes.

The Army (Annual) Act (r.a. April 29th) is the Act by which Parliament every year authorises the Sovereign to have an army, as a standing army within the United Kingdom, unless by the consent of Parliament, is against law. The Act empowers the enlistment of a force of 184,000 men, in addition to those

for India, and also the embodiment of the Marines on board the fleet. Powers of discipline over enlisted persons are granted generally, and the Act is limited for a time which expires, for the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, on April 30th, 1911, and elsewhere in the British Dominions on July 31st, 1911. The Act, as is well known, fixes the prices at which a licensed victualler must entertain a soldier.

The Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1910 (r.a. April 29th), increases the number of the Development Commissioners under the principal Act, 1909, from five to eight, fixes the quorum at four instead of three, and enables the Commissioners both of Development and of the Roads Board to provide superannuation allowances, gratuities, etc., for those they employ, in the usual way.

The Finance Act, 1909-10 (r.a. April 29th), is dealt with on p. 118.

The Police (Scotland) Act, 1890, Amendment Act (r.a. July 26th) makes some alterations in the terms upon which members of the police force in Scotland have pensions, etc., awarded to them.

The Census (Ireland) Act (r.a. July 26th) provides that a census shall be taken in Ireland on Sunday, April 2nd, 1911. The outstanding feature of this, as of former Irish Census Acts, is that it directs that the schedules shall give information respecting the "religious profession" of all persons in each house on the appointed day.

The Census (Great Britain) Act (r.a. Aug. 3rd) provides that a census shall be taken in Great Britain on the same date (as in Ireland), to be superintended by the Local Government Board. "Religious profession" is omitted from the schedules, but Welsh is to be provided for in Wales, and Gaelic in Scotland.

The Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1910 (r.a. July 26th), empowers his Majesty to ap point two additional Judges of the High Court under the Judicature Acts, 1873 to 1902, and limits the number of puisne judges to fifteen or upwards, from Aug. 1st, 1911, except after an address from both Houses of Parliament that any vacancies should be filled.

The Police (Weekly Rest-Day) Act, 1910 (r.a. July 26th), enacts that no constable of any county or borough in England or Wales shall be on duty more than six days in any week. The Act must come into force within four years from the passing of the Act in a county borough, and elsewhere within that interval, or on a date to be fixed by Order in Council.

The Mines Accidents (Rescue and Aid) Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), makes provision for rescue and aid in case of accidents in mines. The Secretary of State may make an Order with respect to organisation for rescue and aid, but before doing so he is required to give notice of his proposals to the parties interested.

The Duke of York's School (Chapel) Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), enacts that the chapel in the buildings in or near the King's Road, Chelsea, formerly occupied by the Royal Military Asylum (now the Duke of York's Royal Military School) shall be freed from all ecclesiastical uses, and vested in the Commissioners of

Works for an estate of inheritance in fee simple, subject to like trusts as those upon which the other buildings formerly so occupied are held by the Commissioners.

The County Common Juries Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), makes a minor amendment of the principal Act (6 Geo. IV. c. 50) with regard to power to make rules and other details.

The Isle of Man (Customs) Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), continues the import duties on tea, tobacco, spirits, ale, and beer, until Aug. 1st, 1911.

The Municipal Corporations Amendment Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), forbids aldermen to vote in the election of aldermen of the borough, and an outgoing alderman to vote in the election of mayor.

The Diseases of Animals Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), prohibits the export of unfit horses, appoints veterinary surgeons to examine, and places the expense upon owners. Every Order made by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries under the Act shall be laid before each House of Parliament as soon as may be after it is made. Provisions respecting licences for exportation or shipment of horses, for the approved slaughter of injured horses, and other matters are also found in the Act, which will be popularly known as "Greenwood's Act." The Public Works Loans Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), appoints some eighteen persons to be Public Works Loans Commissioners for five years from April 1st, 1911; gives power to lend certain sums; remits some debts, and other consequential matters.

The Trusts (Scotland) Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), defines the terms "trust" and "trustee," and gives certain powers to invest money.

The Companies (Converted Societies) Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), removes doubts as to the validity of conversion in the case of certain friendly societies into companies.

The Licensing (Consolidation) Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), is one of the most useful pieces of legislation of the session, as it brings into one measure, of 113 clauses and 7 schedules, the various portions of the law for licensing the sale, etc., of intoxicating liquors. With some minor exceptions, it is a pure consolidation Act, which was examined minutely by committees before it was sanctioned.

The Children Act (1908) Amendment Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), amends the 17th and 18th sections of the Act of 1908 touching prostitutes. The Regency Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), was passed because the Prince of Wales is a minor. It appoints Queen Mary Regent in case he

THE SHOPS

This measure, which failed to reach its final, stages in the 1910 session, was designed to consolidate, amend, and extend the Shops Regulation Acts, 1892 to 1904. With the amendments which Mr. Churchill proposed to introduce in Committee, the Bill provided for the limitation of the hours of shop-assistants to sixty (exclusive of meal-times) in any week; for the cessation of work on one week day at 2 p.m., and on two other week-days not later than 8 p.m. Overtime would be permissible to a limit of ninety hours in the year in shops where all assistants are allowed a holiday of not less than two weeks on full pay; to a limit of seventy-five hours in the year in shops where all assistants are allowed a holiday of not less than one week; and to a

comes to the throne, until he attains the age of 18, and "no longer." The Regent is required to swear that she will preserve the Settlement of the true Protestant religion, and cannot hold the Regency should she become a Roman Catholic. See p. 2.

The Civil List Act, 1910 (r,a. Aug. 3rd), is concerned with the provision made by Parliament for the dignity and comfort of the King and the Royal household. The hereditary revenues are surrendered by. the Crown for the King's life and for six months longer, and a Civil List of £470,000 a year is made payable to his Majesty according to a schedule annexed to the Act. Some other provisions touch con. tingencies such as the Queen surviving the King, or the marriage of the Prince of Wales. Provision is also made for the Prince of Wales and the younger children of their Majesties. See p. 3.

The Accession Declaration Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3), is concerned with the declaration to be made by the Sovereign under the Bill of Rights; in substance requires him to declare himself a Protestant, and a maintainer of the Protestant faith. See p. 3.

The Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Amendment Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), amends section 1 of the Act of 19c8 so that it shall not apply to valuations of stock, manure, fences, etc., under a lease, etc.

The Jury Trials Amendment (Scotland) Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), repeals certain words in the Court of Session Act, 1850, and specifies cases in which the Court may set aside a verdict.

Marriages (Scotland) Amendment Act, 1910 (r.a. The Registration of Births, Deaths, and Aug. 3rd), substitutes the seal for the signature of the Registrar-General of Scotland.

The Hotels and Restaurants (Dublin) Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), gives power to the justices to grant orders exempting from provisions relating to closing during certain hours.

The Small Holdings Act, 1910 (r.a. Aug. 3rd), provides compensation to a tenant in cases where he is disturbed in order to provide land for small holdings. There was also power until Nov. 1st, 1910, to apply on behalf of tenancies terminated before the commencement of the Act.

The Finance (No. 2) Act (r.a. Nov. 28th) legalises the provisions of the Finance Bill 1910-11 concerning the tea duty, beer licences, the income tax, and the new Sinking Fund. See p. 118.

The Expiring Laws Continuance Act (r.a. Nov. 28th).

limit of sixty hours a year in other shops. With certain scheduled exceptions every shop shall be closed on Sundays, but no proceedings shall be instituted under the Sunday Observance Act, 1677, against any person for carrying on any retail trade or business. The Bill proposed to permit any local authority to make an order, within certain limits, for the hours of closing all shops, or any class or classes of shops, within its district, provided that the order had the approval of at least twothirds of the shops affected. Other provisions of the Bill relate to seating, ventilation, and sani. tary conveniences in shops. The Bill contains 29 clauses, with many subdivisions, and should be carefully studied by all who are directly interested in its subject. [Cd. 5430, price 21d.).