§ The LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I beg to move that this Report be now received. I think that perhaps I ought to say this. At Committee stage I gave certain pledges both to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Elwyn-Jones, and, I think, to the noble Lord, Lord Mishcon, who was very largely reflecting the views of the Law Society. The 1631 position is this. I have not neglected to keep those pledges, but there has been a certain amount of correspondence, which is still going on, between my office and the Law Society; and I believe the correct course would be to put down any necessary amendments which may be agreed upon when the Bill reaches another place at the beginning of the next sitting, rather than to try to record an amendment here. I hope that that course will be agreeable to both the noble and learned Lord and to the noble Lord, Lord Mishcon. Of course, I make no promises except that the matter is still being considered in the context of my pledges.
§ Moved, That the Report be now received. —(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ Lord MISHCONMy Lords, it is quite correct that certain private but by no means insidious correspondence and talks have taken place, and what the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor has said is quite correct. I would have thought that the course that he suggests was a reasonable one, and so far as I am concerned I have no objection to it. I know his pledges will be honoured in another place.
§ Lord ELWYN-JONESMy Lords, I agree with the views expressed by my noble friend. I note his use of the word " insidious ". I do not think anyone has suggested that the correspondence between him and the Law Society could even be capable of being suspected of being insidious. However, his assurance will clear the air, and I entirely agree with the course that the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor suggests.
§ The LORD CHANCELLORI am much obliged to the noble and learned Lord and to the noble Lord.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.