§ 7.52 p.m.
§ The CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES (Lord Aberdare)My Lords, with the 388 leave of the House, I should like to make a Statement. Earlier this afternoon, in Committee on the Water Charges Equalisation Bill, the House inserted two Amendments, Nos. 6 and 7, into the Bill on Divisions. These two Amendments were, however, Amendments to a subsection of Clause 1 which had been left out by an earlier Amendment. Accordingly, Amendments Nos. 6 and 7 cannot be inserted into the Bill as amended in Committee. I regret that the Chairman did not bring this matter to the attention of the Committee before the Amendments were moved. I apologise most sincerely to the House. As it is my birthday today, I can only assume that it is the onset of old age.
Earl FERRERSMy Lords, I am sure that the House will be very grateful to the Lord Chairman for having pointed out the mistake that was made. I am quite certain that it is not his own senility that caused the mistake, but that it was merely an aberration and one of the things that happens periodically. We are very grateful to him for having explained what happened. I am not quite certain what is the effect, but I presume that it is different from what the House had anticipated it would be.
§ Lord McCLUSKEYMy Lords, I should like to associate myself with what the noble Earl has said, and say that we congratulate the Lord Chairman on his birthday.
§ House adjourned at seven minutes before eight o'clock.