§ 3.2 p.m.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD POLWARTH)My Lords, before the House decides to discharge the Order of Re-commitment, if it does so decide, I should inform the House that this is a Bill to re-enact, in the form in which they apply to Scotland, the provisions of the Land Compensation Act 1973. Following a Resolution of this House on May 22, 1973, which was agreed to by the other place, this Bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills. They have reported that the Bill represents the existing law as contained in the Land Compensation Act of this Session, and that it does no more than reproduce the provisions of that Act in the form in which they apply to Scotland. They are of the opinion that there is no point to which the attention of Parliament should be drawn. This Bill was not amended by the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills. I understand that no further Amendments have been put down to this Bill and that no noble Lord has indicated a wish to move a manuscript Amendment or to speak in Committee. Therefore, unless any noble Lord objects, I beg to move that the Order of Re-commitment be discharged.
§ Moved, That the Order of Re-commitment be discharged.—(Lord Polwarth.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.
§ Then, Standing Order No. 44 having been suspended (pursuant to the Resolution of July 12):
§ LORD POLWARTHMy Lords, I beg to move that the Land Compensation (Scotland) Bill be now read a third time.
§ Mover, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(Lord Polwarth.)
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD HAILSHAM OF SAINT MARYLEBONE)The Question is, That the said Bill be now read a third time. My Lords, I heard a noble Lord say, "Committee, Committee!" and I am bound to say that in the form in which it is shown upon my Order Paper the item on the Local Government (Scotland) Bill appears as "House to be again in Committee". If that is right, the appropriate Motion 1148 would be to move, "That the House do again resolve itself into Committee on this Bill". I am wondering whether my noble friend could elucidate the position, because some of the Members of the House are in some doubt as to where they stand.
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, surely the Order of Re-commitment has been discharged.
§ LORD POLWARTHMy Lords, we are still discussing the Land Compensation (Scotland) Bill, and, the Order for Re-commitment having been discharged, I am moving that the Bill be now read a third time.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I apologise to my noble friend; I was misled by a voice on my left.
§ On Question, Bill read 3a.
§ LORD POLWARTHMy Lords, I beg to move that the Bill do now pass.
§ Moved, That the Bill do now pass.—(Lord Polwarth.)
§ On Question, Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.