§ 3.30 p.m.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD SHEPHERD)My Lords, I have it in Command from Her Majesty the Queen to acquaint the House that Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the National Health Service Contributions Bill, has consented to place her interest, so far as it is concerned on behalf of the Crown, at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the Bill.
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a third time. In doing so, I should like to reply to a question put by two noble Lords on a previous occasion by telling them that it is intended to introduce the Act on July 6.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(Baroness Phillips.)
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, that being so, could the noble Baroness say why the date is not in the Bill, if it is the firm intention that it shall come into force on that date?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I had hoped that I should satisfy the noble Lord, Lord Drumalbyn, by giving him the date, but I see that it has merely precipitated another question. I am afraid that I am unable to tell the noble Lord why the date is not in the Bill, but my statement will be on the Record and it is the intention to introduce the Act on July 6.
§ On Question, Bill read 3a, and passed.