HL Deb 15 December 1949 vol 165 cc1663-4

Clause 6, page 3, line 20, leave out ("in England")

Clause 6, page 3, line 21, leave out ("for divorce or nullity of marriage")

Clause 6, page 3, line 25, leave out ("such") and insert ("any")

The Commons agree to the above Amendments, and propose the following consequential Amendment to the Bill:

Page 3, line 26, at end insert—

("(3) Section four of the Adoption of Children Act, 1949, shall cease to have effect.")

LORD LLEWELLIN

This Amendment is consequential on the Lords Amendments to Clause 6. Your Lordships will remember that at one stage of the Bill in this House I moved an Amendment putting in these words. But the Adoption of Children Bill was somewhat delayed in another place, and we thought it well to take these words out and send this Bill forward so that it could be considered in good time to get it on the Statute Book during this Session. The Adoption of Children Bill has now reached such a stage that the other place suggests that we put these words back. There is now a good chance that if your Lordships agree to this Amendment, both the Adoption of Children Bill and this Bill will become Acts of Parliament tomorrow morning. I beg to move that we agree with the Commons in their consequential Amendment.

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

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

This might be called "Virtue rewarded" or "Everything comes to him who waits." I should like to congratulate the noble Lord on getting at this time that which he asked for at the earlier stage, and to say that I think this will be a useful little Act which will make a real contribution to the law of the land.

On Question, Motion agreed to.