HC Deb 18 July 1973 vol 860 cc664-5

Lords Amendment: No. 55, in page 100, line 27, at end insert: ( ) Where any provision of this Act, other than a provision contained in Schedule II, refers to the commencement of this Act, it shall be construed as referring to the day appointed under this section for the coming into operation of that provision.".

11.45 p.m.

Mr. Emery

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

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this we are to take the following Lords amendments:

No. 63, in Schedule 11, page 117, line 40, at end insert: and" the commencement of this Act", where that expression occurs in any provision of this Schedule,—

  1. (a) if the same day is appointed under section 130 of this Act for the repeal of all those enactments, means the day so appointed, or
  2. (b) if different days are appointed under that section for the repeal of different enactments, means such day as may be specified for the purposes of this sub-paragraph in an order made by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument;
and different days may be so specified in relation to different provisions of this Schedule."

No. 71, in Schedule 12, page 122, line 43, column 2, leave out "commencement" and insert: coming into operation of Part IX".

Mr. Emery

The House will recall that Clause 130 was amended in Committee to make provision for different parts of the Bill to be brought into operation at different stages. These amendments are purely consequential and import no change of substance in the Bill

Mr. Edward Taylor (Glasgow, Cathcart)

May I ask my hon. Friend to take this opportunity to let us know what date he has in mind for commencement and also when we may be told of the appointment of the director general?

Mr. Emery

My hon. Friend will know that my right hon. and learned Friend and I are as keen as he is to announce to the House and, indeed, to the world who will be the director general. We wish to make the announcement as soon as possible, but we have always said that it is imperative that we should be able to ensure that the person designated is of the calibre that both sides of the House wish to see.

A number of candidates are under serious consideration. I hope that it will be possible to reach a decision as early as possible and that the office of the director general can begin to operate in the autumn.

Question put and agreed to.

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