§ 3.25 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, in moving the Third Reading of this Bill, I should like to thank noble Lords on both sides of this House for the help and the encouragement they have afforded me in the course of the passage of this Bill. It has, of course, been in two parts. It will be recalled 1018 that I introduced it last July, and, of course, as the Session came to an end it was necessary to resuscitate the Bill. Nevertheless, on the Second Reading in the new Session I again received the help of the House. I would only say this: that it is a curious thing that, although this little Bill was designed to help certain women whose circumstances are not very happy, nevertheless I had overwhelming support from men of all kinds (perhaps I should have said of all qualities), from the noble Lord who sits on the Woolsack downwards; and from lawyers who are, of course, skilled in drafting these Bills and have a skill which I cannot claim. For this reason I am extremely grateful. I beg to move the Third Reading of the Bill.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(Baroness Summerskill.)
§ On Question, Bill read 3a, and passed, and sent to the Commons.