HC Deb 20 June 1967 vol 748 cc1617-8
Mr. Graham Page

I beg to move, Amendment No. 104, in page 56, line 16, after second 'day ' to insert: '(not earlier than two years from the passing of this Act)'. This Clause brings the Bill into operation on an appointed day, and I am being very generous in allowing the Minister second thoughts about the Bill. I am glad to see that the Minister has joined us, as he has certainly come to direct the Minister of State to accept the Amendment. I am giving them both the opportunity to escape from their follies and to put the Bill on the shelf for a couple of years. The main consideration is not so much to give them second thoughts as the fact that, by that time, this Government will have packed up and gone to the country and there will be a Conservative Government, which will have the opportunity to bring in a Bill for fair enfranchisement and not this Bill. They should put it on the shelf for a couple of years and accept the Amendment.

Mr. Willey

That was a fine speech for this time in the morning, but the hon. Gentleman does not expect me to accept the Amendment. We do not need second thoughts. The Amendment only emphasises the hon. Gentleman's distaste for the subject of leasehold reform.

Amendment negatived.