§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Patrick Mayhew)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
This is a measure of pure consolidation. Since we are approaching the close of this parliamentary session, I hope that I may be allowed to express—I believe on behalf of the whole House—our appreciation of the great labours of the Law Commission and the Joint Committee in saving this House a great deal of time at the cost of much tedious labour to themselves.
§ Mr. Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet)I am grateful to the Solicitor-General for that introduction to this consolidation Bill. The occasion should not be allowed to pass without my expressing, on behalf of all those concerned with building, our appreciation that the Government have seen fit to consolidate no fewer than 42 Acts of Parliament and four statutory instruments. That will be of inestimable help to all those in the building industry.
One will have to pay no less than £7.50 to procure a copy of the Bill — assuming that when it becomes an Act the cost will be the same — but the consolation is that it would cost much more to procure all the statutes separately.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read a Second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House. —[Mr. Donald Thompson.]
§ Bill immediately considered in Committee; reported, without amendment.
§ Mr. Chapmanrose—
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Paul Dean)I am sorry, but the Bill cannot be debated at this stage and I cannot call the hon. Gentleman.
§ Motion made, and Question, That the Bill be now read the Third time, put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 58 (Third Reading), and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed, without amendment.