Judicial Pensions Bill [H.L.] (Hansard, 4 December 1980)

§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)
My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. It consolidates the legislation governing pension benefits for most judicial offices in Great Britain and for judges of the Supreme Court of Northern Ireland, with amendments made to give effect to recommendations by the Law Commission contained in their Report No. 105.
The only question which I consider difficult is whether I should declare a personal interest. The Bill does not affect the personal pension of the Lord Chancellor which will continue to be governed by the Lord Chancellor's Pension Act of 1832. It does, however, deal with the benefits for dependants of a Lord Chancellor. As I have at the present moment no dependants and shall have none unless I contract a fresh marriage, and will in any case be dead before they acquire an interest, I rather doubt whether I ought to declare one myself. Be that as it may, I have disclosed the facts if any dependants of mine are affected.
If your Lordships give this Bill a Second Reading it will be referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation in the usual way to enable them to consider the proposed amendments and the consolidation itself. I beg to move.

§ Lord Elwyn-Jones
My Lords, I rather think that I should disclose an interest in this matter but I do not think it is affected by the consolidation provisions of the Bill. I would like to ask the noble and learned Lord one question, and that is whether the provisions of this Bill are affected by the Supreme Court Bill which I understand is to receive its Second Reading on the 18th December. If so, would it not have been desirable to postpone the consolidation until we have completed the course of that Bill?

§ The Lord Chancellor
My Lords, I think the answer is, No. If I have misled the noble and learned Lord or the House, I will correct my mistake.