§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ 11.43 p.m.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Law Officers' Department (Mr. Arthur Davidson)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
The Bill consolidates the provisions of the Public Health Act 1936 and the Nursing Homes Act 1963, which relate to nursing homes, including maternity homes, certain provisions of the Mental Health Act 1959 relating to mental nursing homes, and the provisions of the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973 relating to nursing homes and mental nursing homes.
It is a pure consolidation measure, which has been through the close scrutiny of the Joint Consolidation Committee. As a result of the views of that committee about certain minor anomalies in the Bill, certain technical admendments were introduced in Committee in the other place by the Lord Chancellor. These were approved by their Lordships and also have the approval of the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Lord Simon of Glaisdale. Their effect has been to cure the Bill of minor defects in wording and superfluity of language. Perhaps I can take that as an example and indulge in no further superfluities of language, as it is a pure consolidation measure.
§ 11.46 p.m.
§ Mr. Carol Mather (Esher)I accept the hon. Member's assurance that these minor amendments have been made. This, again, is a consolidation measure which we have no wish to delay further.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read a Second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House.—[Mr Harper.]
§ Bill immediately considered in Committee; reported, without amendment.
§ Motion made, and Question, That the Bill be now read the Third time, put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (Third Reading), and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed, without amendment.