HL Deb 23 July 1970 vol 311 cc1077-8
LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, in rising to move the Motion in my name on the Order Paper; namely, that pursuant to Standing Order No. 42(2), the Order of Commitment be discharged, I should like to remind the House that this is the first occasion on which this procedure has been used. It has, of course, been designed to facilitate our proceedings when what is likely to be a formal Committee stage takes place. I shall now use the formula recommended by the Procedure Committee on these occasions.

My Lords, I understand that no Amendments have been set down for this Bill and that no noble Lord has indicated a wish to move a manuscript Amendment or to speak in Committee. Unless, therefore, any noble Lord objects I beg to move that che Order of Commitment be discharged.

Moved, That the Order of Commitment be discharged.—(Lord Aberdare.)

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, as this is the first time that this kind of procedure has been adopted, and in view of the very courteous way in which my noble friend has moved the Motion, may I ask him this question? If somebody—which I do not—wanted to discuss anything in the Bill without having given previous notice, would the Government then not proceed with the Motion? For the benefit of the House as a whole I just want to know where we stand in the application of this new procedure.

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, I can give my noble friend that assurance. If any noble Lord indicates that he wishes to speak on the Committee stage I would proceed to move that the House do resolve itself into a Committee in the normal way.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, may I remark that, as I understand it, it is necessary for only one noble Lord to object and then automatically the noble Lord would move that the House resolve itself into a Committee. The new procedure was designed to stop the Lord Chancellor carrying out unnecessary journeys, but it is fully protected.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a third time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(Lord Aberdare.)

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, may I ask the Leader of the House whether it is intended that this accelerated procedure shall be further accelerated so that this Bill receives the Royal Assent during the course of today's proceedings; or whether it is intended that the House will be required to sit tomorrow as well?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, it is intended to pass the Bill through all its stages to-day.

LORD SHACKLETON

And get the Royal Assent?

LORD ABERDARE

And get the Royal Assent.

On Question, Bill read 3a, and passed.