HL Deb 23 May 1977 vol 383 cc1141-3

6.6 p.m.

Report received.

Lord NEWALL moved Amendments Nos. 1 to 7 en bloc: Page 2, line 25, leave out ("until such date as the Council may prescribe") Page 2, line 27, after ("registration") insert ("before such date as may be prescribed") Page 2, line 36, leave out ("until such date as the Council may prescribe") Page 2, line 38, after ("registration") insert ("before such date as may be prescribed") Page 3, line 1, leave out ("until such date as the Council may prescribe") Page 3, line 5, after ("registration") insert ("before such date as may be prescribed") Page 3, line 13, after ("registration") insert ("before the said prescribed date")

The noble Lord said: My Lords, the Amendments to this Bill result from its examination by the Government draftsman, and they correct some minor drafting defects to which he has drawn attention. As it has been printed since 15th March, I am sorry that this was not done before Report stage. Nevertheless, it is better to get it right and we hope that we have now done so.

If I may take Amendments Nos. 1 to 7 together, Amendments Nos. 1, 3 and 5 remove the ambiguity in the new Section 7, to ensure that the words used mean what they say. Previously, it could possibly have been inferred that on the prescribed date registration might cease and this was not the intention. So that the section should be corrected, and the words in Amendments Nos. 2, 4, 6 and 7 should be inserted. In addition, the word "Council" has not been used in the Amendments, because the word "prescribed" attracts the definition in Section 18, where the word is defined as meaning, 'prescribed by rules drawn up by the Council".

My Lords, I beg to move.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, I do not think it is necessary for me to take up your Lordships' time, other than to say—and perhaps I may say this in relation to Amendments Nos. 8 and 9—that the Government are very grateful to the noble Lord for his co-operation in this matter. He will not mind my saying that these are Government Amendments, which are vital if the Bill is to be foolproof. We are grateful to him for both his help and his co-operation.

On Question, Amendments agreed to.

6.9 p.m.

Lord NEWALL moved Amendment No. 8: Page 3, line 38, leave out from ("description") to ("cause") in line 39 and insert ("which is likely to").

The noble Lord said: My Lords, this Amendment is slightly different, and is concerned with a matter of drafting. The Bill includes words making it unlawful, …to use or adopt the style, title or description… which may be calculated to deceive or mislead". The intention was that the deceiving and misleading should relate to the registration status of the person using the title in question. But as drafted it was not so limited, and could well apply to a variety of circumstances which were never intended to be covered. The Amendment accordingly substitutes the words "which is likely to" for the defective part of the provision. My Lords, I beg to move.

On Question Amendment agreed to.

Lord NEWALL moved Amendment No. 9: Page 4, line 11, leave out from ("paragraph 1(2)") to end of line 12 and insert ("for the words "the quorum and of" there shall be substituted the words "and as to".")

The noble Lord said: My Lords, again this Amendment is very small. It is simply a matter of grammatical precision. The words "and as to" which are being substituted correct the words that are being deleted. I do not think there is any more that I need say. Perhaps, however, I may thank the noble Lord, Lord WellsPestell, for his co-operation and hope that the Bill will soon become law.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.