HL Deb 27 January 1972 vol 327 cc415-6

3.17 p.m.

LORD GARDINER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what grounds they have decided not to introduce in this Parliament legislation to implement the recommendations of the Committee on Bankruptcy Law (Cmnd. 221 of 1957).]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORT-FOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have not decided not to introduce such legislation in this Parliament, although, as my noble friend Lord Windlesham informed the noble and learned Lord on November 24, 1971, they cannot undertake that time will be available for it.

LORD GARDINER

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that not unfavourable Answer, may I ask him, with reference to next Session, whether, if the Government are unable to find the necessary legislative time, the Secretary of State will be well disposed towards a Private Member's Bill implementing the recommendations of this 14-year-old Report?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, presumably this would be a matter for a private Member in another place who was successful in getting a place in the ballot and electing to choose this subject, or, alternatively, for a noble Lord who might decide to introduce a Bill into this House. But I cannot at this stage commit the Government to giving time for it.

LORD SHACKLETON

But, my Lords, could the noble Lord at least consider my noble friend's question, and let us know whether the Government would be prepared to co-operate in this matter? As he knows, all Governments are prone to make use of private Members, sometimes on matters which the Government ought to handle. But this, clearly, is something of concern to my noble and learned friend, who strove manfully, though not always successfully, to get through a number of Bills. This is not a Party point. Would the noble Lord give further consideration to the possibility of legislation being introduced, perhaps in this House by my noble and learned friend?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, as I have said, it is very difficult for the Government to commit themselves to giving time on a subject of this sort; and. of course, normally a Bill introduced into this House means that time has to he given at some stage by the Government. The trouble here, as always, arises from the pressure on time and the priorities of legislation.