§ Order for Second Reading read.
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§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Patrick Mayhew)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
This is a consolidation measure, which incorporates Law Commission recommendations. The law which it consolidates is that contained in the Agricultural Holdings Act 1948 and various other enactments passed since then. The Bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills which has reported upon it in terms with which the House is, no doubt, well familiar. I hope that, in the light of that report, the House will be able to proceed to approve the Bill without delay. The fact that we are able to do so is the result of the expertise and diligence of the members of the Joint Committee am sure that the House will wish to join me in once again expressing our thanks for their efforts.
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§ Mr. Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne)I thank the Solicitor-General for those remarks. Our approval of the Bill is not a formality — it is right that not just Government but Parliament should satisfy itself that what is intended is pure consolidation. I am so satisfied. I should like to endorse the Solicitor-General's remarks about the excellent job that the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills has done.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read a Second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House— [Mr. Peter Lloyd.]
§ 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. 58 (Third Reading), and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read the Third time, and passed, without amendment.