HC Deb 04 December 1945 vol 416 cc2225-6
Mr. Ede

I beg to move in page 13, line 6, leave out "should," and insert "shall."

This is something more than a point of grammar but it is largely a drafting change, and it is required because it is, of course, intended that the laying of jurors book regulations before Parliament shall be mandatory. I was once sitting on the bench when a lady took the oath in this form: "The evidence I shall give should be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." I do not desire to place myself in the same convenient position in which the witness was endeavouring to place herself.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

Mr. Peake

The last Amendment moved by the right hon. Gentleman has drawn my eye to the offending words "as soon as may be" in line 7. Already on one occasion this evening the right hon. Gentleman has surmounted those words by substituting the word "immediately." I wonder whether between now and the Report Stage he would consider making his Bill thoroughly consistent by making the same substitution in this Clause?

Mr. Ede

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman was in the Committee when the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Manningham-Buller) moved the previous Amendment on this point. I explained then that while this Government was in office I should regard "as soon as may be" and "immediately" as synonymous. I realise that it is desirable, even here, to be consistent, and I will therefore consider whether I should move "as soon as may be" back into the Bill in the earlier place or put "immediately" in here.

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.