§ 2.38 p.m.
§ THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)My Lords, I beg to move, That Standing Order No. 147 (Bill as amended in Committee to be deposited at Public Departments) be considered in order to its being dispensed with in respect of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Bill. I should like briefly to explain this Motion to your Lordships.
I am asking the House to agree to this procedural Motion this afternoon. Standing Order 147 provides that a Private Bill amended in Committee should be deposited with various Government Departments not less than three clear days before it is read a third time. Owing to shortage of time, which has arisen through no fault of the Promoters, the prescribed period of three days has to be shortened in this case if the Bill is to receive Royal Assent before the Recess. No Government Department has objected, and in fact the period of deposit has been cut down by only one day. I would therefore ask the House to agree to dispense with the Standing Order so that the Bill can become law before the Recess.
§ Moved, That Standing Order No. 147 (Bill as amended in Committee to be deposited at Public Departments) be considered in order to its being dispensed with in respect of the said Bill.—(The Earl of Listowel.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read 3a, with the Amendments, and passed, and returned to the Commons.