HL Deb 30 July 1928 vol 71 cc1483-4

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

LORD STRACHIE

My Lords, this is a Bill which has passed through another place as an unopposed Bill. In fact the Second Reading, Report and Third Reading were all carried after twelve o'clock at night, showing that it was absolutely approved on all sides. Its object is to amend the law with regard to offences against young girls. Under the last Act no proceedings can take place unless taken within nine months of the commission of the offence. In the past it has been found continually necessary to extend that time, because under the

certainly is a matter on which any noble Lord may take either view. Personally I so much dislike the process of forcing through legislation in this House that I have great sympathy with the Amendment, but I cannot deny that, upon the merits of the Bill, I should not be prepared to oppose its passage, because of the history of this marriage question in the past. I merely rose to explain to your Lordships that, so far as the Government are concerned, they take no side as a Government in the issue submitted to the House.

On Question, Whether the words proposed to be added shall be there inserted?

Their Lordships divided:—Contents, 14; Not-Contents, 14.

CONTENTS.
Canterbury, L. Apb. Sandwich, E. Fairfax of Cameron, L.
Gainford, L.
Wellington, D. Allendale, V. Lawrence, L.
Ullswater, V. [Teller.] O'Hagan, L.
Bath, M. Stanmore, L.
Cushendun, L. [Teller.] Strachie, L.
Beauchamp, E.
NOT-CONTENTS.
Iddesleigh, E. Bertie of Thame, V. Avebury, L.
Lucan, E. FitzAlan of Derwent, V. Desborough, L.
Plymouth, E. Hutchinson, V. (E. Donoughmore.) Jessel, L.
Russell, E. [Teller.] Thomson, L.
Stradbroke, E. Wraxall, L. [Teller.]
Arnold, L.

Act of 1885 the time was three months, then it was increased to six months, and then to nine months, but in 1926 a Departmental Committee of the Home Office presided over first by the late Sir Ryland Adkins, and afterwards by Mr. Priestley, K.C., reported in favour of an extension from nine months to a year. At this late hour I need say no more, except to recommend the Bill to the House, because I understand that the Home Office are entirely in favour of the Bill.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Strachie.)

LORD DESBOROUGH

On behalf of the Home Office I may state that they are in full sympathy with the Bill. It has the approval of the Home Office and also of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It is a very short Bill, because all it does is to alter the word "nine" in the preceding Bill into "twelve."

On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

House adjourned at eight o'clock.