§ The LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord Elwyn-Jones)My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. It is a straightforward consolidation measure. It consolidates the Adoption Acts of 1958, 1960, 1964 and 1968, and Part I of Schedule I to the Children Act 1975 and certain other enactments as set out in Schedule 4 to the Bill. The Bill consolidates these Acts as they apply in England and Wales, but as they also extend to Scotland it contains consequential amendments to Scottish enactments. A comparable consolidation measure is being prepared for Scotland. If your Lordships approve, the Bill will be referred to the Joint Committee in the usual way. I beg to move.
Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.— [The Lord Chancellor.]
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.