§ 2.44 p.m.
§ LORD MILNER OF LEEDSMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are proposing to introduce legislation in the present Session providing for the Registration of Opticians. as unanimously recommended by the Crook Committee in 1952 (Cmd. 8531).]
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, the principle of legislation for this purpose was fully accepted, but its introduction is dependent on Parliamentary time and is, therefore, I fear, unlikely during the present Session.
§ LORD MILNER OF LEEDSMy Lords, whilst thanking the noble Earl for his answer, nay I ask whether he is aware that the Bill will be quite non-controversial and of considerable public benefit? May I ask the noble Earl whether or not in fact it has been drafted?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I am not quite sure about the last point—I will let the noble Lord know—but the fact that it is non-controversial is generally accepted and will be taken into account when the time-table for the next Session is drawn up.