§ 3.2 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for receiving the Report of Amendments read.
§ LORD ROCHESTERMy Lords, in moving that this Report be now received, I should like, with the permission of the House, to make a personal statement. Originally I was asked to take charge of this Bill, but as I was unable to be present I approached the noble and learned Viscount, Lord Simon, arid asked if he would kindly undertake the task, which he readily agreed to do. Yesterday the present stage of this Bill was on the Order Paper. Although I was within the precincts of the House, I was not in my place, and I was unaware that the noble and learned Viscount, Lord Simon, was unable to be present. He has since written to me to say that he was presiding yesterday in an Appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and would for the same reason be unavoidably absent to-day. In the 182 circumstances, I desire to express my apologies to your Lordships for my inadvertence yesterday, and I now beg to move that this Report be now received.
§ Moved, That the Report be now received.—(Lord Rochester.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to, and Amendments reported accordingly.
§ Then, Standing Order No, XXXIX having been suspended (pursuant to the Resolution of July 17) Bill read 3a, with the Amendments, and passed, and returned to the Commons.