§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ 7.50 p.m.
§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Geoffrey Howe)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
This is purely a consolidation Bill bringing together in one Measure the provisions relating to the attachment of earnings which first apeared in the Maintenance Orders Oct, 1958, extended by the Criminal Justice Act, 1967, and largely supplemented by the Administration of Justice Act, 1970.
The function of this Bill is that on the day when the Administration of Justice Act, 1970, provisions come into force this Bill shall replace them so that members of the legal profession and, indeed, 903 members of the public will be able to find in one code all the relevant provisions dealing with the attachment of earnings. This is a refreshing example of consolidation taking place almost before the printer's ink is dry on the substantive provisions.
§ Mr. Ronald King Murray (Edinburgh, Leith)I echo what the Solicitor-General has said. We on this side of the House welcome this Measure.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read a Second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House.—[Mr. Eyre.]
§ Committee tomorrow.