§ 3.20 p.m.
§ The LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I rise to move that this Bill be read a second time. This again is consolidation: it extends to the whole of the United Kingdom and is concerned with the very important legislation relating to the sale of goods. I am particularly glad that this consolidation has come forward so early in this Parliament, and I am sure that your Lordships will wish it to be speedily enacted. If the Bill is given a Second Reading, it will be referred to the Joint Select Committee under the chairmanship of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keith of Kinkel, in the usual way.
There is one somewhat unusual feature about this particular Bill, to which I ought perhaps to draw your Lordships' attention. 1112 It restates the old law as it has been since 1894 as well as providing a clear statement of the position for the future. Why? Because in its nature it cannot be retrospective; different rules apply to contracts, depending upon whether they were made, for instance, under the old law which has been changed from time to time —in 1967, 1973 and 1978—and, of course, the older contracts are governed by the older law. I hope the Joint Select Committee, and indeed the eventual users of the statute, will find Schedule 1 to the Bill of assistance to them. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ Lord ELWYN-JONESMy Lords, the House will be grateful to the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor for his explanation of the interesting innovations in this Bill. It is long overdue, and I am grateful to him for his earlier generous references to myself.
§ The LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord. This, again, is something as to which I have to acknowledge the very large responsibility of the noble and learned Lord for the preparation of this, as of other measures.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.