§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ 4.57 a.m.
§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Geoffrey Howe)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
This is a Consolidation Bill given effect to two recommendations of the Law Commission, reproduced in Clauses 25(5) and 37(3). It was introduced in another place after a report by the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills which was printed on 9th December last year. It reported that the Committee was of opinion that the recommendations of the Law Commission were for the purposes of producing a satisfactory consolidation of the law. The Committee approved the recommendations, making certain amendments to improve the form of the Bill and to bring it into conformity with the existing law.
§ 4.58 a.m.
§ Mr. James Wellbeloved (Erith and Crayford)It is regrettable that it is now 1655 five o'clock in the morning and we are about to enter upon a debate on a very important Consolidation Measure. I will not attempt to make a long speech or, indeed, one of any content at all, other than to indicate that I hope that the Government will take into account the length of time the House has been sitting and of the great distress, discomfort and inconvenience that has been caused to the staff by virtue of the volume of business tabled at this sitting. I hope, therefore, that the Government will be satisfied to get the Second Reading and not proceed to the Committee stage now. It would be unfortunate if
| Division No. 224.] | AYES | [5.0 a.m. |
| Alison, Michael (Barkston Ash) | Gummer, Selwyn | Pink, R. Bonner |
| Allason, James (Hemel Hempstead) | Haselhurst, Alan | Pym, Rt. Hn. Francis |
| Atkins, Humphrey | Havers, Michael | Redmond, Robert |
| Baker, Kenneth (St. Marylebone) | Hornby, Richard | Reed, Laurance (Bolton, E.) |
| Boardman, Tom (Leicester, S.W.) | Howe, Hn. Sir Geoffrey (Reigate) | Rees, Peter (Dover) |
| Boscawen, Robert | Howell, Ralph (Norfolk, N.) | Ridley, Hn. Nicholas |
| Bray, Ronald | Hunt, John | Roberts, Michael (Cardiff, N.) |
| Brewis, John | Hutchison, Michael Clark | Roberts, Wyn (Conway) |
| Brocklebank-Fowler, Christopher | James, David | Rossi, Hugh (Hornsey) |
| Brown, Sir Edward (Bath) | Jenkin, Patrick (Woodford) | Scott-Hopkins, James |
| Bruce-Gardyne, J. | Jennings, J. C. (Burton) | Sharples, Richard |
| Buchanan-Smith, Alick(Angus,N&M) | King, Tom (Bridgewater) | Shaw, Michael (Sc'b'gh & Whitby) |
| Chapman, Sydney | Kinsey, J. R. | Shelton, William (Clapham) |
| Chataway, Rt. Hn. Christopher | Kitson, Timothy | Soref, Harold |
| Chichester-Clark, R. | Knight, Mrs. Jill | Speed, Keith |
| Clarke, Kenneth (Rushcliffe) | Knox, David | Spence, John |
| Clegg, Walter | Longden, Gilbert | Sproat, Iain |
| Cockeram, Eric | MacArthur, Ian | Stanbrook, Ivor |
| Cormack, Patrick | Mather, Carol | Stuttaford, Dr. Tom |
| Dalkeith, Earl of | Maxwell-Hyslop, R. J. | Sutcliffe, John |
| Dixon, Piers | Meyer, Sir Anthony | Taylor,Edward M.(G'gow,Cathcart) |
| du Cann, Rt. Hn. Edward | Mitchell,Lt.-Col.C.(Aberdeenshire,W) | Taylor, Frank (Moss Side) |
| Eden, Sir John | Moate, Roger | Tebbit, Norman |
| Eyre, Reginald | Molyneaux, James | Thomas, John Stradling (Monmouth) |
| Fenner, Mrs. Peggy | Money, Ernle | van Straubenzee, W. R. |
| Fidler, Michael | Monks, Mrs. Connie | Weatherill, Bernard |
| Finsberg, Geoffrey (Hampstead) | Monro, Hector | Whitelaw, Rt. Hn. William |
| Fortescue, Tim | More, Jasper | Worsley, Marcus |
| Fowler, Norman | Neave, Airey | Younger, Hn. George |
| Gibson-Watt, David | Normanton, Tom | |
| Gilmour, Sir John (Fife, E.) | Osborn, John | TELLERS FOR THE AYES: |
| Gower, Raymond | Owen, Idris (Stockport, N.) | Mr. Victor Goodhew and |
| Gray, Hamish | Page, Graham (Crosby) | Mr. Paul Hawkins. |
| Green, Alan | Parkinson, Cecil (Enfield, W.) |
| NOES | ||
| Cocks, Michael (Bristol, S.) | Oswald, Thomas | TELLERS FOR THE NOES: |
| English, Michael | Skinner, Dennis | Mr. James Wellbeloved and |
| Lawson, George | Swain, Thomas | Mr. Eric Deakins. |
| Orme, Stanley |
§ Bill immediately considered in Committee.
§ [Sir ROBERT GRANT-FERRIS in the Chair]