§ 34 Clause 23, page 9, line 42, leave out from ("statement") to ("in")
§ The Commons disagreed to the above Amendment for the following Reason:
§ 35 Because it would create uncertainty.
§ 4.30 p.m.
§ The LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I beg to move that this House doth not insist on their Amendment No. 34 to which the Commons have disagreed for the Reason numbered 35. This relates to the question of the protection that should be given to proceedings in the Assembly in respect of words that are spoken or written there. We have covered this ground on several occasions. There was no issue as to the need for protection being given. The argument turned on whether the language of the clause went further than was required and further than was provided for Parliament itself. The Government view is that it provides the same protection for proceedings in the Assembly as it does for proceedings in Parliament. That view has been debated on many occasions. I do not think it can he improved by further elaboration. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That this House doth not insist on their Amendment No. 34 to which the Commons have disagreed for the Reason numbered 35.—(The Lord Chancellor.)