§ 3.10 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I have it in command from Her Majesty the Queen to acquaint the House that Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Gas Bill, has consented to place Her interest, so far as it is concerned on behalf of the Crown, at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the Bill.
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CHAMPION)My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a third time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(Lord Champion.)
§ On Question, Bill read 3a,with the Amendments.
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, I beg to move that this Bill do now pass.
§ Moved, That the Bill do now pass.—(Lord Champion.)
§ LORD ERROLL OF HALEMy Lords, I wish to rise only to say that we on this side of the House are delighted to see that this Bill has had such a rapid passage. We wish it all success and hope that as a result of its passage underground storage in the United Kingdom will become a practical reality in the near future. We should also like to thank the noble Lord, Lord Champion, for the courteous way in which he has explained the complicated details of the Bill.
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, may I reciprocate the kindly remarks of the noble Lord? I must say that discussions on this Bill were all sweetness and light, and set a good example for any other Bills sponsored by the Government which may come from another place.
§ On Question, Bill passed, and returned to the Commons.