HL Deb 12 July 1966 vol 276 cc74-5

2.58 p.m.

Report of the Amendment received (according to Order).

Schedule [Amendments not affecting the law of Botswana]:

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (LORD BESWICK): moved to add to paragraph 8: (2) In section 78(2) of the Office and Shop Premises Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 (exclusion of application to visiting forces) before the words 'and any country' there shall be inserted the word 'Botswana'. (3) For the purposes of section 6 of the Government of Ireland Act 1920 (conflict of laws) the last preceding sub-paragraph shall be deemed to be contained in an Act passed before the day appointed for the purposes of that section.

The noble Lord said: My Lords, I beg to move that the words on the Order Paper be inserted in the Schedule. I cannot claim that this is a major Amendment, but it is proposed at the request of the Government of Northern Ireland. Noble Lords may properly ask why it was not moved before. The explanation is that it could not be moved before because the Northern Ireland Act, to which it refers, did not receive the Royal Assent until July 7. The sole purpose of the Amendment is to exclude from the provisions of the Office and Shop Premises Act (Northern Ireland), 1966, any visiting forces of Botswana, if such there be eventually. It is parallel to the provisions already contained in paragraph 8 of the Schedule to the Bill for the exclusion of the application of the United Kingdom Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 to visiting forces from Botswana. The purpose of the new sub-paragraph (3) is to ensure that the Parliament of Northern Ireland can, if they so wish, alter or repeal the amendment which we are making, at their request, to Section 78(2) of the Northern Ireland Office and Shop Premises Act.

Amendment moved— Page 8, line 10, at end insert the said new sub-paragraphs.—(Lord Beswick.)

LORD MITCHISON

My Lords, has Botswana got any forces?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, the answer is in the negative.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.