HL Deb 22 November 1976 vol 377 cc1727-8

84 Page 27, line 27, leave out "a" and insert "any".

The Commons disagreed to the above Amendment but proposed the following Amendment in lieu thereof:

85 Page 27, line 26, leave out paragraph (a) and insert— '(a) a deputy chairman to act in place of the chairman of the Board and, for each other member of the Board, a deputy member to act in his place;'

2.31 p.m.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, I beg to move that this House doth not insist on their Amendment No. 84, to which the Commons have disagreed, but agree to Amendment No. 85 proposed by the Commons in lieu thereof. Amendment No. 85 reads:

"Page 27, line 26, leave out paragraph (a) and insert— ' (a) a deputy chairman shall act in place of the chairman of the Board and, for each other member of the Board, a deputy member to act in his place;'.

I beg to move.

Moved, That the House doth not insist on the said Amendment, to which the Commons have disagreed but agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 85 in lieu thereof.—(Lord Wells-Pestell.)

Baroness YOUNG

My Lords, before commenting on this, could I make it clear that what the noble Lord has read is what is in my printed list? My printed list says, "a deputy chairman to …"; the noble Lord said, "a deputy chairman shall act in place of the chairman of the Board …" I take it the noble Lord means," a deputy chairman to act …".

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, if I said "shall" I was incorrect. The noble Baroness. Lady Young, has read it correctly.

Baroness YOUNG

My Lords, we are very grateful for this Amendment and the two which follow, which made points we raised on report. It is important to make quite sure that there is a deputy for each member of the Board and for the chairman of the Board, because the Board have only five members and will have to make very important decisions. The Amendments clarify the position and therefore, make it much better. We are glad about this. We are also glad to recognise that the House of Lords have an opportunity to work in this revising function and are in fact able to achieve three Amendments.