HC Deb 26 May 1971 vol 818 cc520-1

Lords Amendment: No. 10, in page 25, line 32, leave out from "aforesaid" to "that" in line 34 and insert "to the effect".

Mr. Sharples

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

If it is for the convenience of the House, perhaps we can discuss at the same time the following Lords Amendment: No. 11, in page 25, line 35, leave out from beginning to "evidence" and insert: the law mentioned in the certificate shall be evidence and in Scotland sufficient". The effect of these Amendments is to remove from subsection (2) of Clause 36 the provision that a statement in a certificate given by the Government of another country as to the effect of a "corresponding law" of that country shall be conclusive as to whether particular facts constitute an offence against it. As redrafted, the subsection continues to enable the statement to be tendered as evidence of the matters stated but will allow an accused person to contest it by calling expert witnesses. The certificate will continue to be conclusive as to whether an overseas law is a "corresponding law" in the sense described in subsection (1). There is also a corresponding section relating to Scotland.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendment agreed to.

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