HC Deb 22 July 1953 vol 518 c532

(1) Section one hundred and four of the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1952 (which provides that an information cannot be tried unless it is laid within six months after the commission of the offence), shall have effect in relation to offences under the Ancient Monuments Acts, 1913 and 1931, as if for the words "six months," there were substituted the words "one year."

(2) Notwithstanding anything in the Summary Jurisdiction (Scotland) Act, 1908, proceedings in Scotland for an offence against either of the said Acts of 1913 and 1931 may be commenced at any time within one year after the commission of the offence.—[Sir E. Keeling.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Sir Edward Keeling (Twickenham)

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."

This is the second time I have moved this Clause. When I moved it upstairs in the Committee I said it was not necessary to explain it, because it explained itself. I can repeat that statement now, and I hope the Government will accept it.

Mr. N. Nicolson

I beg to second the Motion.

The Solicitor-General

I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Sir E. Keeling) for giving us extra time in which to consider a few technical points regarding this Clause and I am able to tell him we are glad to accept it.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.