HL Deb 03 February 1953 vol 180 cc197-8

6.13 p.m.

Read 3a (according to Order), with the Amendments.

Clause 3 [Consent of Attorney-General required before prosecution]:

THE. EARL OF ONSLOW

My Lords, when this Bill was discussed, at an early stage the noble and learned Earl, Lord Jowitt, put forward an Amendment which was accepted by the noble Lord, Lord Amherst, and I, on behalf of my noble friend, gave it the Government's blessing. Since then, on further consideration, it has been deemed proper that these words should be inserted. The Amendment is designed purely from an administrative point of view to simplify matters, and I am certain that it provides for exactly what the noble and learned Earl wanted. It merely makes this particular passage more convenient from an administrative point of view. I beg to move the first Amendment standing in my name.

Amendment moved— Page 2, line 40, after ("save") insert ("by or").—(The Earl of Onslow.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

THE EARL OF ONSLOW

My Lords, I beg to move the second Amendment standing in my name.

Amendment moved— Page 2, line 40, at end insert ("or the Director of Public Prosecutions").—(The Earl of Onslow.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Bill passed, and returned to the Commons.

House adjourned at sixteen minutes past six o'clock