§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ 3.25 p.m.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT CALDECOTE)My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be read a second time. Its purpose is to do for Scotland what the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, which received the Royal Assent on September 1, did for England. That Act was drafted in fact so as to apply also to Scotland. It was drafted as a United Kingdom measure with Scottish clauses, but difficulties have already arisen in interpretation and in applying the provisions of the Act, due to the wide differences between English law and Scottish law both in substance and in terminology. I understand that these difficulties are likely to grow in number if matters remain as they are, and that it would be necessary to obtain decisions probably in the Court of Session in order to clarify the position. In these circumstances it is thought desirable to have a separate measure passed which would achieve as nearly as possible the same results as in England but framed in terms to fit Scottish law. I have satisfied myself that this Bill carries out that intention.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.