§ 3 p.m.
§ The LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord Elwyn-Jones)My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. This Bill consolidates, without amendments, provisions about the Director of Public Prosecutions and about consents to the institution of criminal proceedings in England and Wales. It also repeals certain obsolete enactments relating to prosecutions by the Director. The provisions about the Director which are consolidated or repealed are at present contained in the Prosecution of Offences Act 1879, the Prosecution of Offences Act 1884, and the Prosecution of Offences Act 1908. The provisions about consents to the institution of criminal proceedings are at present contained in Section 34 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 and Section 12 of the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975. The latter provision extends to Scotland and Northern Ireland, but is consolidated by the Bill only for England and Wales. If the Bill is read a second time, it will be referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills in the usual way. My Lords, I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be read 2a.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a and referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.