§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI beg to move amendment no. 3, in page 1, line 21, at end insert—
'( ) This Act comes into force on the expiry of the period of one month beginning with the day on which it is passed.'.This is a purely technical amendment. There is a longstanding convention that Acts of Parliament rarely come into force on the day when they receive Royal Assent. I am not sure why. I suppose it is believed that the law should not be changed instantly or overnight and that people deserve a little decent notice. There is no urgency about my hon. Friend's Bill, and a period of one month will not delay it excessively.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Clause 3, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.