HL Deb 12 December 1950 vol 169 cc864-5

3.20 p.m.

Brought from the Commons.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I beg to move that the Administration of Justice (Pensions) Bill be now read a first time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read la.— (Lord Shepherd.)

VISCOUNT SIMON

My Lords, before the Motion for the First Reading of this Bill is accepted, may I be allowed to ask a question which I think it is convenient to put at once, as I hope, for reasons which I need not elaborate, that the Second Reading of the Bill will be taken very promptly? If your Lordships will look at the text of the Bill as it passed through another place you will find that its actual results in figures are not easy to appreciate, because the Bill is drawn in a form which speaks of fractions which have to be worked out. In the Commons, however, the Attorney-General provided, in a Written Answer, a schedule which set out in respect of each class involved the actual salary, the present pension, the proposed reduced pension, the widow's pension, and so on. From this schedule it was quite easy to appreciate what effect the Bill would have. The question which I venture to ask—and I apologise for doing it at this moment—is whether it would be possible for us, either by a Paper from the Printed Paper Office or, peradventure, by something printed in front of the Bill as soon as it is circulated, to have this table before us. I am sure that it is only by a process of that kind that one will be enabled to appreciate the effects of the Bill. I do not say this with the slightest desire to oppose the Bill, but rather with a view to ensuring it an easier and a prompt passage.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble and learned Viscount for his suggestion, with which I fully agree. I think it is desirable that your Lordships should see the figures, and I have made arrangements to have the necessary columns of figures attached to the front of the Bill so that—I will not say he who runs may read, but he who delves into it may see what it is all about. I hope that this will meet with the convenience of everyone.

VISCOUNT SIMON

I am much obliged to the noble and learned Viscount.

On Question, Bill read 1a; and to be printed.