Let the House remember that the steps which the Government are urged to take are not to be exceptional steps dealing with Emergency Or Crisis.
The British public feel that in their Parliamentary representatives they have an outlet and a sounding board which will reflect the feelings of the country in a Grave Emergency Or Crisis, even though it be a local question, and on the mere chance that that may happen, to urge that it may delay the procedure on this Bill by a mere fraction of the total time involved and take away this private Members' right for a very long period, seems to me to be very undesirable.
Indeed, the sooner they are brought into operation, the less danger there will be of Any Emergency Or Crisis.
Naturally, if we have a number of Committees operating upstairs and we try to stage a first-class debate on the Floor of the House on foreign affairs, the economic situation or on an Emergency Or Crisis which has blown up, there will be some conflict.
Does he look on them as a temporary measure to tide over an Emergency Or Crisis for a few months, or are we introducing new import duties on an industrial raw material for an indefinite period ahead?
I have never heard of Any Great Emergency Or Crisis arising in respect of tied cottages in agriculture.
The United Nations Children's Fund told us in evidence that it currently classifies some 31 states as being in a state of Emergency Or Crisis, with an additional 35 on a watch list.
If, in the terms of the amendment, the Secretary of State made a declaration, which may be no more than one or two lines, about the likely disaster, Emergency Or Crisis that he foresaw - that is all he has to do - what would be the nature of the likely successful challenge in the courts?
I was using the illustration, as have other Members, in the context of this particular Bill, which has sensibly - I give credit to my right hon. Friend its promoter - anticipated one of the main problems that a Government would face, which is what would happen when it is necessary to deploy troops rapidly in response to an Emergency Or Crisis that develops.
The citizens of a well-run country with a responsive and effective Government expect proper and appropriate action to be taken in an Emergency Or Crisis.
If one reads the debates in the other place, one can see that there were a lot of hares running with regard to how the Commission would be able to take over our supplies and reallocate them in an Emergency Or Crisis.
I would ask the House to appreciate what the response of Members of either House would be if the Government got past the problem of dealing with legislation by a constant repetition of an order whose procedure is drafted against Emergency Or Crisis or dramatic circumstances.
We can always argue about the quality of work - I spent a fair time myself washing up, serving in shops and table waiting - and we can talk about the burden of child care, as the hon. Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North did so eloquently, but given the urgency of the situation, one of my concerns is what is done in an Emergency Or Crisis and where the Government put their money.
Specifically on the present state of affairs, bearing in mind that it is a duty of an economist never to look on the bright side, otherwise we would cease to be the dismal science, would one be accused of being complacent by saying that the remarkable thing about the balance of payments at present is that we do not seem to have the slightest sign of an Emergency Or Crisis on the horizon?
With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: amendment 39, page 52, line 22, leave out subsection (1) and insert - ‘(1) Section 138(1)(b) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (discretionary payments out of Social Fund) may be repealed, if the Secretary of State - (a) publishes a detailed proposal for a replacement scheme, or schemes, based on wide consultation with relevant stakeholders; (b) ensures that such a scheme, or schemes, will provide financial protection for applicants in an Emergency Or Crisis, with the eligibility criteria for applicants specified in regulations; (c) demonstrates the feasibility of such a scheme, or schemes, through a pilot or pathfinder process; and (d) demonstrates how an independent appeals mechanism will be implemented.
Amendment proposed: 39, page 52, line 22, leave out subsection (1) and insert - ‘(1) Section 138(1)(b) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (discretionary payments out of Social Fund) may be repealed, if the Secretary of State - (a) publishes a detailed proposal for a replacement scheme, or schemes, based on wide consultation with relevant stakeholders; (b) ensures that such a scheme, or schemes, will provide financial protection for applicants in an Emergency Or Crisis, with the eligibility criteria for applicants specified in regulations; (c) demonstrates the feasibility of such a scheme, or schemes, through a pilot or pathfinder process; and (d) demonstrates how an independent appeals mechanism will be implemented.