§ Order for Second Reading read.
10.14 pm§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Ian Percival)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
I shall be very happy to explain to the House any of the provisions of the Bill if any hon. Member should so desire. Meanwhile, I shall content myself by paying a warm and sincere tribute to the Joint Committee for the time and expertise that it has given to the Bill. Yet again, we have very good reason to be grateful to the Committee, and indeed we are.
§ Mr. Jeffrey Thomas (Abertillery)I congratulate the Solicitor-General on his brevity. I associate myself and the Opposition with his remarks, and in particular with those relating to the work of the Joint Committee. We owe it a great debt of gratitude and thank it very much indeed.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read a Second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House.— [Mr. Cope.]
§ 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.