HL Deb 21 October 1969 vol 304 cc1618-9

[Nos. 9-11]

Clause 20, page 13, line 25, at end insert— ( ) In its application to Northern I eland, this section shall have effect as if for the reference to section 99 of the Judicature Act 1925 there were substituted a reference to section 7 of the Northern Ireland Act 1961, and as if any reference to county court rules were omitted.

Clause 21, page 14, line 12, after ("courts"), insert ("in England and Wales").

Clause 21, line 16, at end insert— ( ) In the application of this section to Northern Ireland, 'the High Court' means the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland, the reference in subsection (2) to section 99 of the Judicature Act 1925 shall be construed as a reference to section 7 of the Northern Ireland Act 1962, and subsection (3) shall be omitted.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 9, and I would ask your Lordships to allow me to take Amendments Nos. 9, 10 and 11 together, and at the same time to discuss Amendment No. 18. This is a clause dealing with the application to Northern Ireland of a new clause on interim payments. The Supreme Court of Justice in Northern Ireland is a reserved matter, and this is something on which they cannot legislate for themselves. They have therefore asked that these provisions may apply to them.

Amendment No. 10 merely makes it plain that in the context of that clause, where "courts" are referred to it is applying only to courts in England and Wales. This is because county courts in Northern Ireland are not a reserved matter, and we need not deal with that, because Stormont can deal with it itself.

Amendment No. 11 deals with a clause already in the Bill for limited forms of inspection before action, and the Amendment would simply confer similar power on the Northern Ireland High Court, and to make rules governing applications. This has been done with the agreement of the authorities of Northern Ireland. Amendment No. 18 deals with the Crown Proceedings Act, and would merely apply the Crown Proceedings Act to Northern Ireland in the same way as it applies in this country. If no noble Lord objects, I will move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 9, 10 and 11.

Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 9, 10 and 11.—(The Lord Chancellor.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.