HL Deb 30 June 1948 vol 157 cc92-3

[The references are to Bill No. 68.]

Clause 1, page 2, line 21, leave out from ("that") to end of line 22, and insert ("the care of the child is taken over either—

  1. (a) by a parent or guardian of his, or
  2. (b) by a relative or friend or his, being, where possible, a person of the same religious persuasion as the child or who gives an undertaking that the child will be brought up in that religious persuasion.")

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, in rising to move the first of these Amendments, may I take this opportunity of saying that a very large number of these Amendments, so far as I know, are completely uncontroversial. I will therefore take them and ask your Lordships to deal with them as rapidly as possible consistent with the rules of order that are ever present in our minds in this House. The first Amendment, on page 2, line 21, provides that any relative or officer who is to have the care of a child should be, where possible, a person of the same religious persuasion as the child or one who will give an undertaking that the child will be brought up in that religious persuasion. This Amendment was moved on Committee stage in another place. I beg to move.

Moved, That this House do agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(The Lord Chancellor.)

LORD LLEWELLIN

My Lords, I should like to say that generally, so far as I am able to see, none of these Amendments made in another place is in any way controversial. So far as I am concerned, the suggestion made by the noble and learned Viscount on the Woolsack, that he will deal with them briefly, is completely acceptable.

On Question, Motion agreed to.