§ AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1 OF CRIMINAL EVIDENCE ACT 1898, ETC., AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISION.
§ Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
§ Mr. Michael English (Nottingham, West)On a point of order, Sir Myer. One does not need to oppose a Bill to ask that the hon. Member in charge should explain it.
§ Mr. F. P. Crowder (Ruislip-Northwood)This is a short Bill, relating to criminal evidence. It has been through all its stages in another place. It concerns a technical point, and I have no doubt that the Bill has been examined with some care. In effect, the change that it makes was originally recommended by the Criminal Law Reform Committee in its eleventh report, which was published as long ago as 1972, which recommended 1723 that the law should be changed in accordance with this Bill. Having regard to lack of time, I hope that this explanation satisfies the hon. Member for Nottingham, West (Mr. English).
§ Mr. EnglishI am sorry, but I believe that the Bill is being slightly rushed through the Committee. I have no objection of great principle to it but I think that hon. Members would like to consider it further, and there is time in this Parliament. If the clause is to be pressed, I would wish to divide the Committee against it.
§ The ChairmanI take that as an objection.
§ It being after Four o'clock, and objection taken to further Proceeding, the CHAIRMAN left the Chair to report Progress and ask leave to sit again.
§ Committee report Progress; to sit again on Friday next.