§ 3.2 p.m.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth)I beg to move, in page 25, line 3, to leave out "August." and to insert "October."
It is somewhat unusual to move an Amendment to a consolidation Bill, but if any hon. Member has any doubts as to whether this particular Amendment is in order I would refer him to Erskine May, 15th edition, page 534, where he will see that it is in order to move an Amendment in regard to the date of commencement.
1045 The reason for the Amendment is that the Bill was drafted several months ago, and, of course, at the date of drafting it is impossible to say precisely when the Bill will come into effect. In fact, the date of commencement has been put at 1st August, and although it would be physically possible to have that date it would be very inconvenient. It is, therefore, proposed to defer it by two months, so that the Bill can be circulated and appreciated before it comes into effect.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ Schedules agreed to.
§ Bill, as amended, reported; read the Third time, and passed, with an Amendment.