HC Deb 21 February 1967 vol 741 cc1499-500

Amendment made: No. 18, in page 13, line 1, leave out 'section' and insert 'sections 18 and'.—[Dr. Dickson Mahon.]

Dr. Dickson Mabon

I beg to move, Amendment No. 19, in page 13, line 4, at the end to insert: (2) Any reference in this Act to the Housing (Scotland) Act 1966, or to any provision thereof, shall include a reference to any enactment repealed by that Act or, as the case may be, to the corresponding provision of any such enactment. The Amendment is a legislative device to ensure that anything that is being done under the legislation consolidated still stands.

Mr. G. Campbell

The wording of the Amendment seems to me to call for rather more explanation, although I do not want to detain the House on the matter. I realise that it is a legal point, but it seems strange that the Amendment should include reference to something that has been repealed. I had hoped that the Minister would be able to explain that point, but if it is a technical and legal matter I shall not take up the House's time, although we should be glad of an explanation.

Dr. Mabon

It is a very technical point. If the hon. Gentleman looks at the consolidation Measure, which is quite something, and tries to work this out, he will sec that the intention is that anything which stands as a result of consolidation should still stand, because not all of the enactments are repealed. Sometimes it is only parts of enactments that are repealed. The hon. Gentleman will see that the Amendment is to preserve the position of the consolidation Act in as much as it does not refer to financial provisions which are still standing at the position of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1950.

I do not want to give illustrations because they are so complicated, and I would be embarking on a very stormy sea. I would prefer the hon. Gentleman to take my assurance that the Amendment is a device that is quite secure for ensuring that anything done under the consolidated legislation will stand. If he has doubts, I shall be happy to correspond with him and perhaps raise the matter with my right hon. Friend.

Mr. G. Campbell

We shall have to take the hon. Gentleman's word on this. We were in favour of the consolidation Measure and pressed for it to come forward, and we were glad that it was enacted just before Christmas. My faith in the Scottish draftsmen is such that I am prepared to accept that explanation and hope that it covers the objective which we have on both sides of the House.

Amendment agreed to.