§ 3.33 p.m.
§ LORD DRUMALBYN rose to move, That the Bill be recommitted to a Committee of the Whole House. The noble Lord said: My Lords, your Lordships will recall that before the Recess, on December 20, my noble friend the Chief Whip advised your Lordships that it had been decided not to proceed with the Third Reading of the Protection of Aircraft Bill because the Government were considering the possibility of adding new clauses to the Bill to provide further powers to deal with the grave problem of violence against civil aviation. Your Lordships will wish to know that new 1692 clauses and certain consequential Amendments to the Bill are about to be published, and that it is expected that the Bill with these additions and Amendments will be considered in Committee on February 26.
§ Moved, That the Bill be recommitted to a Committee of the Whole House.—(Lord Drumalbyn).
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I am sure that this is the right course to take. I rise simply to say that the Government are to be congratulated for having a further look at the Bill and for taking it, if I may say so, a little more seriously than they appeared to be doing at one time. Without necessarily agreeing with all the Amendments which will be brought forward, I am sure that the attitude of the Government in this matter is highly commendable.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.