§ 10.22 p.m.
§ The Lord AdvocateI beg to move, in page 7, to leave out lines 22 to 24.
This Amendment and those that follow fall to be considered together. Their purpose is really a drafting one to bring the provisions of the Bill in this Clause into line with the fact that justice of the peace records are now brought within the scope of the Bill.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Further Amendments made:
§
In page 7, line 30, at the end, insert:
the expression 'court records' includes the records of the High Court of Justiciary, the records of the Court of Session, sheriff court records, and justice of the peace records
§ In line 33, after "record," insert "or is or is not a justice of the peace record." —[The Lord Advocate.]
§ 10.23 p.m.
§ The Lord AdvocateI beg to move, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."
I do not think that more than a word is necessary from me in commending this Bill to the House for Third Reading.
2087 From its introduction its critics and friends alike have devoted themselves whole-heartedly to the task of endeavouring to widen its scope and to improve its machinery. My right hon. Friend and I are more than grateful for the many suggestions which came from different parts of the House, to many of which we were able to give effect by Amendments in Committee. In particular, we have now extended the Bill to include justice of the peace records. We have had added to its machinery the device of the advisory council, and we have introduced much more elaborate mechanism for the disposal of records. I think that the Bill now affords a solid and satisfactory foundation for working out in detail the record policy for Scotland, which I outlined in an earlier stage of the discussions. I would venture to hope that the interest which has been aroused by this Measure, both inside the House and outside, will not evaporate with the passing of the Bill, but will be maintained and reinforced as the work which the Bill renders possible is carried into execution in the Register House, Edinburgh.