§ 3.20 p.m.
§ THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper and I should like to explain its purpose. The Regulation of Prices (Tranquillising Drugs) Order 1973 which has been under consideration by the Special Orders Committee for two whole days this week, will expire on Saturday, May 19. Its effect will, however, I understand be extended by a new Order, the No. 2 Order, which is to be made and laid before both Houses on Friday. Although the No. 2 Order will, in effect, be merely an extension of the original Order it would be necessary unless this Motion were passed by your Lordships this afternoon, to begin the proceedings before the Special Orders Committee over again, and the work we have done on the present Order would thus be wasted. My Motion, therefore, provides that the No. 2 Order should be treated, for the purposes of Standing Order 216, which governs the working of the Special Orders Committee, 912 as though it were the original Order so that our proceedings in this way can continue next week from where they have left off. My Lords, I beg to move.
Moved, That if the Regulation of Prices (Tranquillising Drugs) (No. 2) Order 1973 is made on the expiry of the Regulation of Prices (Tranquillising Drugs) Order 1973, then the No. 2 Order shall be substitued for the original Order for the purposes of the current proceeding under Private Business Standing Order No. 216 as modified by the Order of the House of the 20th of February last.—(The Earl of Listowel.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.