HL Deb 21 March 1994 vol 553 cc500-1

3.8 p.m.

Lord Wakeham

My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

Moved, That Standing Order No. 38 (Arrangement of the Order Paper) and Standing Order No. 44 (No two stages of a Bill to be taken on one day) be dispensed with until the Easter recess in respect of the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill and, if they are brought from the Commons, the Insolvency (No. 2) Bill and the Transport Police (Jurisdiction) Bill.— (Lord Wakeharn).

Lord Tordoff

My Lords, I do not wish to discuss the subject matter of the Bills, in particular the second and third, having indicated that we assent to the Motion. However, as regards the Transport Police (Jurisdiction) Bill, there are one or two issues that I shall raise on Second Reading about which the noble Lord the Leader of the House ought to know. I understand that the British Transport Police query the adequacy of the Bill that is being brought forward. It was published only on Friday and has not yet been before another place and therefore we are in some slight difficulty. Clearly, the Insolvency (No. 2) Bill is essential in order that jobs are not lost and the transport Bill is important in order that the British Transport Police can have jurisdiction beyond 1st April outside their own back yard. We shall do our best to see the Bill through but I hope that the Government who, after all, are papering over a pretty large crack in the British Rail privatisation Bill of last year, have got it right this time.

Lord Wakeham

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for indicating that he wishes to raise one or two points. I shall say nothing about the substance but there will be opportunity for debate and for amendments should they be necessary. We had better wait for the Bill to come from another place before deciding what to do.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, in case there is any dubiety, I wish to say that we on these Benches fully recognise the importance and the urgency of these matters and raise no objection to the Motion. However, during the Bills' stages there could be room for amendments. There is no intention to do other than speed the legislation through this House as quickly as possible.

On Question, Motion agreed to.