§ [Refence is to Bill [103] as first printed for the Commons]
§
Schedule 4, page 15, line 44, at end insert—
(2) The Commissioner shall arrange his sittings so as to facilitate the attendance of any such judge and, subject to paragraph 2(4) above, shall put to the witness any questions suggested to him under this paragraph.")
§ Lord DONALDSON of KINGS-BRIDGEMy Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendment. The Amendment, which was welcomed and passed in another place on 1st August, provides that at the taking of evidence on commission in Northern Ireland and to assist the court of trial in the Republic the Commissioner shall arrange his sittings for the taking of such evidence so as to facilitate the attendance of any visiting judge from the court of trial. It also provides that the Commissioner shall put any questions suggested by the visiting judge to the witness provided that they do not infringe the rules relating to the immunities and privileges of witnesses which, under the Bill, are determined in accordance with the law of Northern Ireland.
§ Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge.)
§ Lord BELSTEADMy Lords, I have no objection to this and my only surprise is that it is necessary, for I should have thought that it was already implicit in the wording of the Bill. However, this was not the view taken by another place and I have no objection to this Amendment.