HC Deb 23 October 1967 vol 751 cc1378-9

Lords Amendment No. 4: In page 4, line 7, leave out from beginning to "provision" and insert: The Secretary of State may by regulations make".

Mr. Taverne

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in 'he said Amendment.

Perhaps it may be convenient to consider at the same time the following two Lords Amendments: No. 5, in page 4, line 9, leave out "that" and insert "the principal", and No. 7, in page 4, line 22, leave out "that" and insert "the principal".

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Eric Fletcher)

If the House so desires.

Mr. Taverne

These Amendments are consequential on Lords Amendment No. 6, to which we have already agreed. They provide that regulations for the purposes of Clause 4 should be made not under the principal Act but by the Secretary of State under this Measure. Regulations under the new Clause A, dealing with safe custody will relate not only to 1965 Act drugs, but also to 1964 Act drugs and it would be inappropriate to make these regulations under the former Act. So Clause 4 as proposed to be amended would also relate to 1964 Act drugs and it is appropriate, therefore, to provide that regulations under that Clause shall be made under the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendments agreed to.

Lords Amendment No. 8: In page 4, line 22, at end insert: (c) for the application of any of the provisions of this Act, the principal Act or regulations under either of those Acts to servants or agents of the Crown, subject to such exceptions, adaptations and modifications as may be so specified."—[Queen's consent, on behalf of the Crown, signified.]

4.45 p.m.

Mr. Taverne

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

In the absence of express provision the Crown is not bound by the principal Act, but the Government think it desirable for the effective organisation of the new arrangements for notification of addicts and prescribing of addicts, that medical officers in special hospitals, the Prison Service and the Armed Forces should have the same statutory obligations as other practitioners as regards those requirements. This provides for certain adaptations as in certain cases may be necessary.

Question put and agreed to.