HC Deb 26 January 1956 vol 548 c430

Order for Second Reading read.

6.28 p.m.

The Solicitor-General (Sir Harry Hylton-Foster)

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.

I am afraid that if I go into the details of the Bill I shall go too far.

Dr. Edith Summerskill (Warrington)

I should like the right hon. and learned Gentleman to give just a summary of the Bill. Perhaps he will go a little further.

The Solicitor-General

I fear that I shall go too far if I go into the case for the Bill, which is pure consolidation. For her delight, I tell the right hon. Lady that it consolidates four Measures and makes them easier to read than they would otherwise be. It deals with antibiotics, penicillin and like matters which are well known to the right hon. Lady.

Dr. Summerskill

Perhaps the right hon. and learned Gentleman will tell me why he is dealing with the Bill.

The Solicitor-General

I believe that it is the practice for a Law Officer to invite the House to approve consolidation Bills. They emerge from machinery of legislation under the control of the Lord Chancellor and for which we in this House are answerable.

Dr. Summerskill

Is it the practice for a Law Officer to deal with a Bill without a representative of the Ministry concerned being present? I see that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health has now entered the Chamber.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House.—[Mr. R. Thompson.]

Committee upon Monday next.