§ 3.35 p.m.
The Earl of SELKIRKMy Lords, in moving the Third Reading of this Bill I should like to express my appreciation for the assistance that the officers of the Scottish Office gave, in explaining to me both the basis and the procedure of the Bill, and also particularly the courts administration department. I should also like to express my appreciation to the Lord Advocate for the encouragement which he has given to the forward passage of this Bill. With these words, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a third time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a. —(The Earl of Selkirk.)
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND (Lord McCluskey)My Lords, may I acknowledge, on behalf of my right honourable friend, the tribute which has been paid? I shall certainly be delighted to convey that to him and to the officials to whom the noble Earl referred. May I also respond by saying that many people in Scotland will have reason to be grateful to the noble Earl and to his honourable friend, who, between them, have taken through Parliament a measure 1662 which will make a part of life easier and cheaper for some people at what may be, for them, a difficult time. I want specifically to mention that Mr. Michael Clark Hutchison, who introduced this Bill into another place, I believe equals a record for getting on to the Statute Book, if that is your Lordships' wish, a record number of Private Members' Bills.
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, perhaps I may congratulate my noble friend on having piloted through this complicated Bill, and also on having done it with such excellent timing, so that it is going through in the nick of time. I should also like to acknowledge the help and support which has been given by the Scottish Office and the Scottish Law Officers' Departments.
§ On Question, Bill read 3a, and passed.