§ Read a Second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House.—[Mr. Harper.]
§ Bill immediately considered in Committee.
§ [Mr. GEORGE THOMAS in the Chair]
§ The ChairmanI suggest that we adopt the same procedure as we pursued yesterday when dealing with a consolidation measure; namely, put the Questions in blocks.
§ Mr. Robert Cooke (Bristol, West)May we in two or three words be told what the Bill is about?
§ The ChairmanI am sorry but I have already put the Question to the House.
§ Mr. CookeI am just asking that we should be told what it is about before we pass it; that is all.
§ The ChairmanI am sorry that we may have moved a little fast, but that point has passed.
§ Mr. Terence Higgins (Worthing)On a point of order, Mr. Thomas. As I understand the situation, you were proposing to put the Question. It would be in order for the Minister to give an explanation at that stage.
§ The ChairmanWe cannot discuss the content of clauses, and we have already passed the Second Reading stage. The House a few moments ago agreed to give the Bill a Second Reading.
§ The Question is that Clauses 1 to 5 stand part—
§ Mr. HigginsI abide by your ruling, Mr. Thomas. Although I understood you 442 to say that we could not discuss the contents of the clauses, I imagine that it would be in order for the Minister to explain the way in which they have been consolidated. I presume that the Minister would want to do that, although I abide by your ruling if that is not so.
§ The ChairmanI do not wish to stop the deliberations of the Committee. However, our proceedings must be in order. If the Minister seeks to explain why Clause 1 is consolidated, if we deal with the clauses one at a time, I do not mind. We can discuss them one at a time. However, he must confine himself to why the clause is consolidated.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Law Officers' Department (Mr. Arthur Davidson)Perhaps I could seek your guidance, Mr. Thomas. I do not think that it is the wish of the House that I should go through the Bill clause by clause. However, if there is any way in which I can describe, extremely briefly, the sum total of the clauses, I shall be happy to do so.
§ The ChairmanThat cannot be done now. Next time I shall proceed more slowly.
§ Mr. DavidsonOn the next occasion I shall rise more slowly. That will give you, Mr. Thomas, more time.
§ The ChairmanI am sorry this has happened because I looked forward with pleasure to hearing the speeches of both hon. Members concerned.
§ Mr. Robert CookeThe title of the Bill intrigued me. Some hon. Members would have liked to know more about the measure. That is why I raised the point.
§ Clause 1 to 5 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ Schedules 1 and 2 agreed to.
§ Bill 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.
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- ADJOURNMENT 12 words