§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD LATHAMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they propose to take with respect to the promotion of Private Bills, having regard to the Report of the Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament and the terms of the Motion approved by this House on May 21, 1958.]
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government do not consider that any alteration is required in the Statute Law governing the promotion of private legislation by county councils, having regard to the Report of the Joint Committee on the Promotion of Private Bills and the terms of the Motion approved by the House on May 21, 1958. The recommendations of the Report relate to the way in which County Council Bills shall be dealt with by Committees and the necessary amendments of the Private Bill Standing Orders. I understand that Standing Orders designed to give effect to the safeguards recommended in the Committee's Report are in process of being drafted, in consultation with the House of Commons, and will be laid before the House for consideration in due course. Until such Standing Orders are before the House, it would, I think, be unwise to make any further statement with reference to the findings of the Report.