§ 2.19 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, as my first task on Her Majesty's Government's Front Bench in your Lordships' House it is my privilege to commend to your Lordships and to move the Second Reading of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill. Thanks to the custom in your Lordships' House, an Explanatory Memorandum is printed on the first page of the Bill and therefore, happily, my task is made a light one. Her Majesty's Government and my noble friends on the Front Bench are fully aware both of the importance and of the complications of the measures in this "hardy annual" Bill. Nevertheless, by skill of drafting the description of this Bill has been potted into the smallest container possible. It will therefore be unnecessary in these enlightened days—despite the Bill which is third on the list, and with due deference to my noble friends from Scotland—to weary your Lordships by reading the Explanatory Memorandum of this Bill. Rather will I recommend to your Lordships that the opening of the pot be postponed until the Committee stage and that the details of this comprehensive mixture of a Bill be discussed in your Lordships' House then. I now beg to move that this Bill be read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Earl Bathurst.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.