§ 3.21 p.m.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (Lord Kirkhill)My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a third time. I should not like the Bill to 1499 leave this House without my saying a word of thanks to noble Lords who contributed so effectively to our debates. The noble Lord, Lord Campbell of Croy, has been particularly helpful in debate and in correspondence with me. Your Lordships will wish to acknowledge, as I do, the help which has been afforded by the Scottish Assessors Association. We are indebted to them for pointing out the practical difficulties which might have been attendant upon the working-out procedures, which we have since replaced. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland can, I am sure, further depend on the advice of the Association and that of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities in consultations on the orders which fall to be made.
My Lords, in your Lordships' House there has been recognition that this Bill is a necessary measure. My hope is that its consideration in another place may be marked by attitudes as constructive as those of your Lordships.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a—(Lord Kirkhill.)
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord, Lord Kirkhill, for his kind remarks about the contribution which I and some of my noble friends made on this Bill. It is a Bill which is very urgently needed. It was introduced in your Lordships' House; it has not yet been to another place. We have very considerably revised it, so your Lordships' Chamber in its revising capacity was able to carry out a huge redrafting of this Bill before it had even gone to another place. The noble Lord himself was most helpful in explaining some of the technicalities involved, and we are grateful to him.
§ On Question, Bill read 3a, and passed, and sent to the Commons.