§ Order of the day for the House to be put into Committee on re-commitment of the Bill read.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, I think the right thing for me to do is to move that this House resolve itself into Committee on the said Bill. I rise rather in fear and trembling lest I should repeat the disorderly conduct to which the noble Marquess referred a little while ago when he very rightly called your Lordships to order. I wish to make a few general observations on the Bill at this stage and I think in that way I shall escape censure. I think your Lordships would like to know that the joint Committee to which the Bill was referred have now ended their proceedings and have published a Report which contains the most important decisions that were reached. The Committee sat for several days under the Chairmanship of the noble Lord, Lord Amulree, whose wisdom was a very great asset to the members of the Committee in their deliberations. They heard evidence from the local authorities in the London area, from the business and professional organisations affected by the provisions of the Bill, and I think I can say from all bodies who might legitimately feel that their work was in any way affected by the provisions of this measure.
In the light of all this evidence the Committee were able to discharge their task to the best of their ability. The main business, of course, was simply to consolidate existing law. They had to repeal some fifteen Statutes in their entirety and to repeal in part some ninety Statutes. In this way I think they have succeeded in laying before your Lordships a Bill that incorporates the whole of the existing law on local government in the London area. Besides that the Committee were called upon to amend the law as it stands in order to bring London into line with the rest of the country. The more important Amendments to which they agreed are referred to at considerable length in the Report, and I shall 455 therefore not weary your Lordships by going into them in detail unless any member of your Lordships' House wishes to raise any point relating to them. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the House do now resolve itself into Committee.—(The Earl of Listowel.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to:
§ House in Committee accordingly: The EARL OF ONSLOW in the Chair.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELI beg to move that the Amendments proposed by the Joint Committee be agreed to en bloc.
§ Moved, That the Amendments proposed by the Joint Committee be made.—(The Earl of Listowel.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.