§ The Lord AdvocateI beg to move, in page 5, line 38, to leave out "for inspection."
This and the following Amendment on the Paper are consequential on the Amendments which have just been accepted by the House.
§ Mr. Henderson Stewart (Fife, East)I do not wish to raise a discussion on this Amendment, but I would ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on the discussion of this Clause. During the Committee 1763 stage the Lord Advocate very kindly undertook to consider certain suggestions which I had put to him in regard to this Clause. I took it that the intention was to convey to us at this stage whether the Clause had been reconsidered, and, if so, the results of such reconsideration. Would it be in Order to invite my right hon. and learned Friend now to deal with that point?
§ Mr. SpeakerOn the Report stage the hon. Member can speak only on the Amendment which is before the House and not on the Clause as a whole.
§ Mr. SpeakerOn the Third Reading hon. Members are limited to what is in the Bill and cannot refer to what, they would like to see in the Bill.
Mr. StewartI wish to be advised on the proper course to adopt. A definite undertaking was given by the Government to reconsider this Clause. There is nothing on the Paper to indicate that they have done so, and I am asking the representative of the Government now, what they propose to do to carry out the promise which was given to me.
§ Mr. SpeakerI imagine that that is a point which could be raised on the Third Reading, if it is the case that such an undertaking was given, but it cannot be raised now.
§ Mr. SpeakerCertainly not. The Clause is not before the House. Only the Amendments are considered on the Report stage.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Further Amendment made: In page 5, line 38, leave out "the time (being not less than," and insert "a period of."—[The Lord Advocate.]