HC Deb 28 February 1967 vol 742 c414

Question proposed, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.

Mr. Graham Page

On this Clause, I have already deployed the arguments. In subsection (1) of Clause 117 the Statutory Instruments contained in Part 11 of Schedule 14 are embodied in the Bill. I protest to these being embodied in this form and I say that they should have been left with their natural effect as Statutory Instruments under subsection (3) of Clause 17.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 118 and 119 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Schedules 1 to 14 agreed to.

Bill reported, without Amendment.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

10.46 p.m.

Mr. Graham Page

Although I have put criticisms of the Bill in Committee, I repeat, as I said on Second Reading, that this is an admirable consolidation Measure apart from the blemishes which I have mentioned. The draftsman has done a splendid job of work in consolidation of the law relating to general rates. No effort has previously been made to do this, and it will be of great value. I only wish that the Clauses to which I have referred in Committee were not still in the Bill as they are. I hope that the words which I have said on this occasion may be studied when further consolidation measures are brought before the House.

The Solicitor-General

As the hon. Member for Crosby (Mr. Graham Page) knows, I always study with great care all the observations he makes on consolidation Bills. On this occasion, I would like, as on Second Reading, to join the hon. Member in his congratulations to the draftsman of this very complicated Measure.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed, without Amendment.