§ Motion made, and Question proposed,That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Stevens (Portsmouth, Langstone)When, a year ago, my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, West (Mr. Simon) introduced on the Report stage of the Finance Bill a new Clause bringing the High Court into line with the courts of summary jurisdiction so far as the right of making an order for small maintenance payments without deduction of tax was concerned, the then Economic Secretary said that there were considerable difficulties in the way and suggested that discussions should take place between the Inland Revenue, the Law Officers and the Lord Chancellor. Some doubt was expressed on both sides of the Committee as to how long those discussions were likely to take.
My hon. and learned Friend, in his present exalted position, is unable himself to congratulate the Chancellor on responding to the plea which he induced into those discussions. I am doing so on his behalf. I had the honour of supporting my hon. and learned Friend on that occasion a year ago, and tonight on his behalf, on behalf of the unfortunate women to which this Clause will bring some benefit, and on my own behalf, I 756 express very sincere thanks to the Chancellor for righting an anomaly and doing away with an injustice.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.