§ 23 Clause 7, page 6, line 43, leave out from ' issue ' to end of line 5 on page 7 and insert; and the objection shall be taken into account by the appropriate registrar in deciding whether, in respect of the person to whom the certificate would be issued, he is satisfied as mentioned in the said subsection (2).'
§ Lord KIRKHILLMy Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 23. This Amendment recognises the fact that objections may be submitted on any ground, and not simply those listed in Clause 7(3), and of course this is a point which, in a rather wider context, the noble Lord, Lord Campbell of Croy, attached considerable importance and drew Government attention to at an earlier stage. It therefore ensures that in the unlikely event of an objection being submitted under this clause full account will be taken of it, regardless of its nature. In practice, I am advised that registrars will refer such objections to the Registrar General for advice.
§ Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment. —(Lord Kirkhill.)
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, this is an extremely difficult area in which to legislate. The noble Lord did make reference to the fact that I spoke widely upon it at Second Reading and also touched on it at later stages. The Government made clear what they were intending, because it was not absolutely clear in the initial text of the Bill. Their intention was to codify the present law rather than make any changes in the principles. I am grateful to the noble Lord for having considered this, and to the Government for having come forward with this Amendment, which certainly does clarify this part of the Bill.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.