HL Deb 03 July 1968 vol 294 cc316-7
LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether time will be found for the Divorce Bill during the remainder of this Session.]

THE PAYMASTER GENERAL (LORD SHACKLETON)

My Lords, I understand that the Divorce Reform Bill is awaiting its Report stage in another place. I cannot answer for another place in respect of the progress of the Bill there, and until, and if, it reaches this House, it would be unprofitable for me to speculate on its progress here.

LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEY

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that if the Bill does come to this place many noble Lords would regard it as an important piece of legislation for which they would be prepared to give up more of their time; and that possibly this is a Bill which might go upstairs or across the road, or wherever it is.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I still think that this is rather hypothetical. Having had experience with the previous Divorce Bill in this House, I should be very surprised if the House as a whole did not wish to consider this Bill, and consider it in a good deal of detail. I really cannot make any more helpful remarks to the noble Lord.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the women's organisations in this country, who have opposed this Bill because of certain inequitable provisions, will be very pleased to learn that the Government are not prepared to give it more time in order that it may reach the Statute Book?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, the Government are always in a rather equivocal position on a Bill of this kind. Perhaps, I should merely note what the noble Baroness has said, and comment neither favourably nor unfavourably, nor even agreeably.