HL Deb 24 March 1925 vol 60 cc625-6

Read 3a (according to Order).

LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH

I beg to move that the Amendments proposed by the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills be agreed to.

Moved, That the Amendments proposed by the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills be agreed to.—(Lord Balfour of Burleigh.)

LORD BANBURY OF SOUTHAM

Could we not know what the Amendments are?

LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH

They are purely drafting Amendments.

LORD BANBURY OF SOUTHAM

Nobody seems to know what they are. It seems to be a curious way of doing business, but I am prepared to accept the statement of the noble Lord.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, I do not think my noble friend really understands what the procedure of the Committee on Consolidation Bills is. It is to take the Bill as committed to them, and to see if it exactly corresponds with the existing law. That was the intention of the Consolidation Committee originally. Therefore these Amendments are, of necessity, nothing but drafting Amendments. They are to draft the Consolidation Bill in order that it shall exactly agree with the Bills that it consolidates. I hope my noble friend will see that no serious invasion of our liberties is being attempted under the guise of a Consolidation Bill.

LORD BANBURY OF SOUTHAM

My Lords, I have always been suspicious of Consolidation Bills in the other House. I think it is necessary that we should know something about them lest some new provision should be introduced; but, of course, I accept the statement of my noble friend.

LORD MUIR MACKENZIE

My Lords, I should like to be allowed to state that the Amendments and the reasons for any possible difference of opinion upon the subject are in the form of a Report, and are already on the Table, so that the noble Lord, if he is interested in the matter, could have seen them.

On Question, Amendments agreed to.

Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.