HL Deb 22 April 1971 vol 317 cc824-5

[No. 6]

Clause 17, page 13, line 33, leave out "inability" and insert incapacity"

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 6. It might be convenient—although I shall put the Question formally at Amendment No. 11—if I discussed Amendment No. 11 with this Amendment. Clause 17(4) enables the Lord Chancellor to remove a Circuit judge from office on the ground of inability or misbehaviour. Clause 21(6) enables him to terminate the appointment of a recorder, or part-time judge, from office on the ground of inability or misbehaviour. The Commons have substituted the word "incapacity" in each case for the word "inability". I am disposed to think that that is a better word. I beg to move.

Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(The Lord Chancellor.)

LORD GARDINERH

My Lords, this was an Opposition suggestion. I agree that the wording is an improvement, and we are grateful to the Government for accepting the Opposition suggestion.

On Question, Motion agreed to.