§ 2.28 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. I think that I should now sit down, but perhaps I ought first to explain that this Bill is a purely consolidation measure and applies to Scotland only. It consolidates the general provisions of the seven Housing (Scotland) Acts, 1950 to 1965, together with provisions from various other enactments. The last consolidation of 1950 909 covered all provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Acts; the present consolidation deals only with the general and non-financial provisions. The financial provisions will be left outstanding meantime, and will be consolidated separately at a later date. It will then be possible to include in that second consolidation measure the new subsidy provisions which the Government hope to introduce shortly after the summer recess.
The consolidation will be of convenience to their Lordships and to Members of another place in providing a single general housing enactment against which to consider further legislation in this field. The consolidation will also be of great benefit to all users of the legislation, particularly to the Scottish local authorities, and I commend the Bill for your Lordships' approval.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Hughes.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.