§ 30. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has noted the number of Amendments set down for the Report stage of the Criminal Justice Administration Bill; 535 and whether, with a view of expediting progress with the Bill, he can make a statement as to the way in which these Amendments will be regarded?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Amendments to this Bill consist almost entirely of new Clauses, embodying Amendments in the bastardy law or general criminal law, which would obviously not be accepted by the House without such prolonged discussion as would make the passing of the Bill impossible. I sympathise generally with the proposed Amendments of the bastardy law, and I hope that I may have an opportunity next year to introduce a comprehensive measure dealing with this subject.
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman approach those hon. Members who have given notice of these new Clauses, so that he may be in a position to make a further offer, with a view to their withdrawing the new Clauses?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am not in a position to give any further offer than the one contained in the answer to my hon. Friend's question, but I sincerely hope that they will not press their Clauses, because the only effect will be that my present Bill may be withdrawn.
§ Mr. McKENNAThat is all I can do.