§ 3.26 p.m.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (LORD ABERDARE)My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. The purpose of the Bill is to validate a provision of some National Insurance Regulations which were made in 1966 and which have been found to be technically deficient. The provision was made by the Minister of the day, although the power to make it was actually for the National Insurance Joint Authority to exercise. The provision has been operating as though it had been valid. This Bill is needed simply to endorse this action.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a. —(Lord Aberdare.)
421§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for that explanation. I have done a lot of research on this matter and was unable to discover what it was all about. He has now satisfactorily cleared it up.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.