HC Deb 11 April 1932 vol 264 cc632-3
Dr. PETERS

I beg to move in page 1, line 19, at the end, to insert the words: and calling on him to put the chancel in proper repair. I apologise to the Committee for having handed in some manuscript Amendments at the last moment, but since the Second Reading was very hurried and late on Friday, there was no time to deal with the matter before. As the Bill is drawn, a notice is to be served on any person who appears to be liable to repair the chancel, and this notice will state in general terms, according to the Bill, the allegation and the state of disrepair, but there is no actual demand made that this individual shall put the chancel into repair. There are provisions in the Bill giving the Rules Committee power to make the necessary rules, and I am suggesting the addition of these words so that no trouble will arise by reason of any judge or any other person raising any technicalities in any proceedings.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL (Sir Boyd Merriman)

In accepting this Amendment, I should like to say to the hon. Member that he need not apologise for not having given longer notice of his Amendments. On the contrary, I am very much obliged to him for having put his professional experience in the court in which this Bill will be administered at the disposal of the Government. He has suggested some very useful Amend- ments, of which this is one, and I propose to ask the Committee to accept them.

Amendment agreed to.