HC Deb 20 July 1973 vol 860 cc1064-6
Lords Amendment

No. 90, in page 36, line 17, at end insert:

Mr. Wiggins

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

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. E. L. Mallalieu)

It will be convenient at the insert:

"28 Geo. 3. c. 7. The Gold and Silver Thread Act 1788. The whole Act."
No. 92, page 37, line 6, column 3, after "c. 26" insert:

15 Geo. 2. c. 20.

"1 Geo. 3. c. 9. (Ir.). The Gold and Silver Thread Act (Ireland) 1761. The whole Act."
No. 95, page 37, line 32, column 1, leave out "Geo. 5. c. xi." and insert:

8 & 9 Geo. 5. c. lxi. No. 96, in page 37, line 35, column 1, leave out "6" and insert "16".

No. 97, in page 37, line 36, column 2, leave out "Confirmation Order" and insert "Order Confirmation".

Mr. Wiggin

This provision is typical. The amendment would repeal the Gold and Silver Thread Acts of 1741 and 1788 and the corresponding Irish Act of 1761. I cannot believe that in this day and age the quality or otherwise of gold braid would deeply concern the average consumer.

I must thank the many people connected with the passage of the Bill, as well as my private advisers in the capacity of Mr. Wharton and Mr. Francis and the Department's advisers. It is unusual for a civil servant to be so closely involved in the birth of a Bill from a suggestion some years ago to the Royal Assent, which I hope it will get next week. All those involved warmly thank Mr. Budden for his work.

My hon. Friend the Minister has taken a great interest and put in much work although he had to deal with other important legislation. On behalf of all those interested, I thank him primarily for the way in which he received the Bill on behalf of the Government and for his help and advice as it has progressed.

I thank, too, my noble Friend Lord Sandys for the way in which he piloted the Bill in the other place. It is easy to forget that Bills have to go through the other place and the time and trouble necessary.

I thank my hon. Friends for their kind remarks. It is only with their sup- same time to discuss the following Lords Amendments:

No. 91, in page 36, line 19, at end insert:

No. 93, in page 37, line 7, column 3, after "c.52" insert:

28 Geo. 3.c.7. No. 94, in page 37, line 12, at end insert:

port and that of hon. Members opposite that we have been able to progress this long and complicated Bill and get it through by the skin of our teeth on the last day of private Members' business.

Question put and agreed to.

Remaining Lords Amendments agreed to.