§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motions made and Question proposed, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
§ 10.0 p.m.
§ Mr. Graham Page (Crosby)I was hoping that the hon. and learned Gentleman the Solicitor-General would commend this Bill to the House. It is a 165 consolidation Bill which achieves some purpose, and it certainly will be of considerable use to those who have to deal with such subjects as late night refreshment houses.
It is always something of a mystery to me how anything becomes a candidate for consolidation. In this case something is being produced by the Joint Select Committee, by the noble and learned Lord Chancellor and the draftsmen which will be helpful. Enthusiasm for consolidation frequently reveals a gap in the law, as indeed occurred in the Committee on this Bill. When such a gap appears in the law, I wish that the Government would let us have a consolidation Bill with Amendments.
We have before us a consolidation Bill with minor corrections and improvements, but in this particular case the gap related to the transfer of a licence on the death of a holder. If it were not to be part of this Bill, I would hope that the consolidation could have been deleted until the law had been amended in this respect.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman must not take any objection whatever to this Bill in this debate.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. If the hon. Gentleman takes objection, the Bill must be deferred. If the hon. Gentleman objects to some features in the Bill, and says so, then the Bill must be put down for another day.
§ It being after Ten o'clock, and objection being taken to further Proceeding, the debate stood adjourned.
§ Debate to be resumed Tomorrow.