HC Deb 05 December 1949 vol 470 cc1582-3

Lords Amendment: In page 3, line 6, at end insert: and unless it appears to him that it is unreasonable in the circumstances so to do.

Mr. Asterley Jones

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

This Amendment is the consequence of a matter raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham (Mr. Hale) during the Third Reading Debate. The Clause to which the Amendment refers, as originally drafted, put an obligation on the collecting officer of the court to sue for any arrears which might exist without giving him any option if the married woman so requested. My hon. Friend objected on the ground that it should not be made absolutely obligatory that it should be left to his discretion, and the Amendment carries out that function.

Mr. Monslow

I beg to second the Motion.

Lords Amendment: In line 11, at end, insert: (3) Nothing in the last foregoing subsection shall affect any right of a married woman to proceed in her own name for the recovery of sums payable under any such order as is mentioned in that subsection.

Mr. Asterley Jones

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

This Amendment is to make it clear that although the collecting officer may proceed, it does not deprive the married woman of the right to proceed if she so wishes.

Mr. Monslow

I beg to second the Motion.