§ 3.9 p.m.
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)My Lords, I rise to move that this Bill be now read a second time. It seeks to consolidate those parts of the Act relating to public health that are concerned with the control of disease. Besides the general regulatory provisions for preventing the spread of disease, it contains specific provisions relating to burial and cremation and the regulation of common lodging houses and canal boats. In order to produce a satisfactory consolidation, the Law Commission have 1004 made recommendations which are set out in their report on the Bill laid before this House on 20th January. If your Lordships give this Bill a Second Reading, it will be referred in the ordinary way to the Joint Committee. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ Lord MishconMy Lords, I think the House would want to pay tribute to the Law Commission, to the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor and, if I may say so, to the Joint Standing Committee, of which I am proud to be a member, for the many consolidation measures which are coming before the House. Obviously they are extremely welcome and I think that the House ought to note the point.
§ The Lord ChancellorMy Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Lord for what he has said. Of course, the praise goes to the Law Commission, but I attach a great deal of importance to the work of consolidation which makes the duties of the legal profession and those who have need to know the text of the law so very much easier than it would otherwise be.
§ On Question, Bill read a second time, and referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.