HC Deb 28 June 1948 vol 452 cc1886-7
Mr. Younger

I beg to move, in page 46, line to, to leave out "seven days," and to insert "one month."

There are five Amendments here, all relating to the same point. These are transitional provisions, and since there will be such an extremely short period between the passing of this Bill into law and the date when it comes into force, it was felt that it was not only reasonable, but necessary, to allow a rather longer period for certain notifications or applications which have to be made to a local authority on the coming into forte of the Bill. Had this Bill come into force somewhat earlier it might have been possible to have had the ground more prepared, but the change from seven days to one month is really administratively necessary, and necessary in fairness to persons concerned.

Mr. C. Williams

I entirely agree that this Amendment is needed. It would appear only common sense, in drafting a Bill of this kind, to put in a month. It is a great pity that the Bill was ever drafted with a period of seven days in it. The Home Secretary and the Under-Secretary ought certainly to have known about it far earlier, rather than that it should be left to us at this difficult point. It is a Committee matter and should have been dealt with then, if not previously.

Amendment agreed to.

Consequential Amendments made.

Further Amendment made: In page 47, line 6, leave out "submitted," and insert "substituted."—[Mr. Younger.]

Mr. Younger

I beg to move, in page 47, line 18, to leave out "or," and to insert: the commencement of this Act, no notice under the said section seven need be given in connection with the taking possession of the child. (3) Where by virtue of the said section thirty-five the provisions of the said section seven become applicable to a child. This Amendment, and those to lines 19 and 21, relate to transitional provisions. The Amendments to lines 25 and 27 refer to the change from seven days to one month. This concerns children brought under the Adoption of Children (Regulation) Act, 1939. Unless hon. Members require it, I do not think that I need explain the matter in detail. This is simply a similar transitional adjustment to those which have already been made.

Amendment agreed to.

Consequential Amendments made.