Capital Allowances Bill [Lords] (Hansard, 12 March 1990)

§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Nicholas Lyell)
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
The Bill consolidates certain enactments relating to capital allowances. The last such consolidation took place in 1968 and the additions and amendments to the law made by each subsequent Finance Act have made a new consolidation exercise necessary. The Bill is pure consolidation; no amendment to the present law is made. It represents a further stage in the continuing programme of consolidation of revenue legislation, and comes just two years after the consolidation of enactments relating to income tax and corporation tax.
I am sure that the House will wish me to acknowledge once again our debt of gratitude to the draftsmen for their considerable achievements in producing the Bill. It has been passed in another place where, in the usual way, it was referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation, which reported that the Bill, as amended by the Committee, is pure consolidation.

§ Mr. John Fraser (Norwood)
When I saw the Bill and looked at the Irish business, I wished that the House had licensing hours. I shall simply assume that the landlord has called last orders and do no more than congratulate the draftsmen on their splendid work in consolidating these measures and on making life easier for layman and practitioner alike.

§ Mr. Jeremy Hanley (Richmond and Barnes)
If my right hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General is permitted to speak again, perhaps he will tell us whether he believes that the clause numbers in the Bill will remain the same until final publication. That would help many people who need the Bill for technical purposes. I should also be grateful if my right hon. and learned Friend would tell us whether there are to be any further amendments.

§ The Solicitor General
By leave of the House, may I say that I would not expect any further amendments, but I hope that my hon. Friend will know the answer in about 45 seconds.