§ Order for Second Reading read.
1.35 am§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Ian Percival)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
The Bill consolidates the law on criminal appeals in Northern Ireland, starting with the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1968. The need for consolidation arises primarily from the fundamental change made in the court structure under the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978. That Act abolished the separate Court of Criminal Appeal which then existed and transferred the jurisdiction of that court to the Court of Appeal. It set up a new system of Crown courts in Northern Ireland to try cases on indictment, and replaced the old system of assizes. As a result of the changes, the 1968 Act has been subject to much amendment, and the Bill provides much needed consolidation.
The Bill has been considered by the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills. In its fourteenth report the Committee said that it was satisfied that the Bill 1235 represented the existing law and that there was no point to which Parliament's attention should be drawn.
The Bill is pure consolidation. It effects no change in the existing law. It is a much-needed measure, and I comment it to the House.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read a Second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House.—[Mr. Brooke.]
§ 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.