HC Deb 27 July 1936 vol 315 cc1280-1

Lords Amendment: In page 11, line 37, leave out from "against" to "the" in line 38, and insert: any of the following enactments, namely—

  1. (a) the Act of the twenty-seventh year of His late Majesty King Henry the Sixth, chapter Five which restricts the holding of fairs and markets on certain days; or
  2. (b)"

Mr. LOFTUS

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

1.5 a.m.

Sir P. HARRIS

I would like to ask for a word of explanation about the Act of the 27th year of His late Majesty King Henry the Sixth, chapter Five. Would the Under-Secretary kindly let us know what that Act means? I am conscious of being an historian, but my history does not go into an Act quite as old as that. Before we repeal such an Act we are entitled to know what we are repealing.

Sir PATRICK HANNON

The Act referred to restricts the holding of fairs and markets on certain days. It is in order to amend that particular Section of the Act of His late Majesty King Henry the Sixth.

Sir P. HARRIS

That is just the point. It may be some Statute old but historic. We ought to know what the Amendment does.

Mr. LOFTUS

I did know the answer, but at this late hour of the morning I frankly confess I cannot remember the details of this Act passed in the reign of "His late Majesty King Henry the Sixth."

Mr. LLOYD

My information is that this is a drafting Amendment. It has been recommended by the Parliamentary draftsmen. I think I am in a position to give an assurance that it is not conflicting with or making any inroads upon any historic Act.

Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 13, line 10, agreed to.