HL Deb 10 July 1984 vol 454 cc827-8

15 Clause 42, page 35, line 11, after ("Act,") insert ("(which include some which are spent)").

22 Schedule 3, page 43, line 11, column 3, at beginning insert—

("Section 43(9).
Section 44(6).").

23 Page 43, line 13, leave out ("paragraph 6") and insert ("paragraphs 6 and 12").

24 Page 43, line 18, at end insert—

("1978 c. 22. Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates' Courts Act 1978. In Schedule 2, paragraph 49.
1981 c. 24. Matrimonial Homes and Property Act 1981. Section 8(1).").

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 15, 22, 23 and 24. I think that these are all purely drafting amendments and so, if I may, I will move them en bloc quite formally.

Moved. That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said amendments.—(The Lord Chancellor.)

Lord Mishcon

My Lords, I think it is appropriate to utter only a few sentences. This is a valuable Bill. When it came to this House, many of us had very definite views about the way in which certain clauses should be drafted and about the policy behind them. We were treated, as always, with the utmost courtesy by the noble and learned Lord when he differed from us, and with a kindly smile when we agreed with him. This Bill is now a better Bill as a result of what happened in this House, and now as a result of what happened in another place. I hope that when it very shortly becomes an Act upon our statute book it will bring some amount of relief in that type of case which has the sympathy of so many of us and where, if the law is not a kindly law, so much distress and pain can be caused. I hope that this Bill will avoid much of it.

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, I am very grateful indeed to the noble Lord for what he has just said. I have had nothing but help from him and from his noble and learned friend Lord Elwyn-Jones, as well as from those who have spoken from the Alliance Benches. Our debates have succeeded not only in improving the Bill, but in removing a great deal of misunderstanding about it. I hope now that it will do a little more justice and save a little heartbreak in these rather distressing cases.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords. I beg to move that the House do now adjourn during pleasure until ten past eight.

Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.

[The Sitting was suspended from 7.35 p.m. until 8.10 p.m.]