§ 3.4 p.m.
§ The LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord Elwyn-Jones)My Lords, I beg to move that the Order of Recommitment be discharged. In so doing, I think that it would be right to draw the attention of the House to the report of the Joint Committee on this Bill since they themselves bring to the notice of Parliament a point of general interest in relation to consolidation. It is a point which caused them to amend to a considerable degree the repeal Schedule to the Bill.
The Schedule now identifies separately spent as opposed to replaced provisions. These would not normally fall within the scope of pure consolidation but would form the subject matter of Statute Law revision. The Bill now follows the procedure that was adopted in the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 and in the Police (Scotland) Act 1967, and shows how consolidation and Statute Law revision may in suitable cases go forward hand in hand. I am sure that this is a procedure which will commend itself to your Lordships.
I should like to take this opportunity to thank the Joint Committee and in particular its chairman, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Simon of Glaisdale, for the services which they tirelessly and helpfully rendered to Parliament and to the community in keeping our Statute Law in good order. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Order of Recommitment be discharged.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.