§ 3.12 p.m.
§ Lord ABERDAREMy Lords, on behalf of the Chairman of Committees, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a third time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(Lord Aberdare.)
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, may I say how glad I am 435 to hear that this Bill has now got as far as being put to the House for a Third Reading, particularly in view of the fact that the whole area is of tremendous interest, naturally, to me and to those associated with my part of the world. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the Committee who examined the Bill and who have returned it with certain Amendments and certain alterations. We are all very grateful to them for the trouble they have taken. I should also like to put on the record the fact that there are many people in the Tyne and Wear area who believe in private enterprise and there are many people in the area who believe in local authority responsibility. I would say once more that I think the Committee have produced a balanced Bill and I am very grateful to them for it. As we have had to wait a very long time, I am delighted to know that the Bill is now before your Lordships for Third Reading.
§ On Question, Bill read 3a, and passed, and sent to the Commons.