§ As amended (in the Standing Committee,) considered.
§ 11.50 a.m.
§ Mr. Philip Bell (Bolton, East)I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."
I should like to commend the Bill briefly to the House. It has the effect of making the administration of justice speedier and, we hope, cheaper. There is a local Lancaster Palatine Court whose services are perhaps not made the most of, and it is sought by this Bill that suitable cases might be transferred from the High Court to the Palatine Court, if they are the kind of cases with which that court can conveniently deal. That will relieve congestion, particularly at the assizes, and will save witnesses and lawyers the expense of coming to London.
I think that those reasons by themselves are sufficient to justify asking the House to give the Bill a Third Reading. I am grateful particularly to the Government for the assistance they have given in amending the Bill in Committee, where most valuable amendments were made to it.
§ Sir Sidney Marshall (Sutton and Cheam)In supporting this Motion I should like to congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, East (Mr. P. Bell) on presenting this small Bill, which will be of great assistance to litigants.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Lionel Heald)I should like to congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, East (Mr. P. Bell). I know from personal experience what satisfaction there is in reaching this stage on a Private Member's Bill without disaster. In this case the hon. Member has done something of real public benefit and I am sure that we have all been glad to give him any assistance.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read the Third time, and passed.—[Queen's consent, on behalf of the Crown, signified.]