§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ 4.2p.m.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Reginald Manningham-Buller)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
The House will recall that on 7th February a Motion was passed without a Division to declare that Mr. Beattie was disqualified from membership of the House of Commons and approving the Select Committee's recommendation that he should be indemnified from all the consequences of sitting and voting while disqualified. This Bill implements that recommendation. Its effect is to indemnify Mr. Beattie from all penal consequences whatsoever which he may have incurred between the day of his election and the date when the Bill receives the Royal Assent.
§ 4.3p.m.
§ Mr. Ede (South Shields)My right hon. and hon. Friends support this Bill and we do not wish to do anything which would delay its passage.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read a Second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House.—[Mr. Legh]
§ Bill immediately considered in Committee; reported, without Amendment; read the Third time and passed.