6 MARCH 1909, Page 3

The Indian Councils Bill passed the Committee stage in the

House of Lords on Thursday, but one important alteration was made in spite of the vigorous protests of Lord Morley of Blackburn. Lord Macdonnell proposed to omit Clause which gives power to constitute provincial Executive Councils, with the view to the insertion of a new clause. He thought it better for the Lieutenant-Governor to act on his own powers without previous consultation with his Executive Council. Lord Morley contended that it was not worth while to delay the settlement by the introduction of another Bill, but Lord Macdonnell expressed his determination to go to a division, The question was then put that Clause III. stand part of the Bill, and this was defeated by 59 against 18.