§ 3.1 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. This consolidation Bill seeks to re-consolidate that part of the law relating to road traffic which was last consolidated by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967. Since 1967 this area of the law has been heavily amended by successive Acts, notably the Transport Act 1968, the Transport (London) Act 1969, the Heavy Commercial Vehicles (Controls and Regulations) Act 1973, the Road Traffic Act 1974 and the Transport Act 1982.
In order to produce a satisfactory consolidation, it is necessary to make a number of recommendations which are set out in the Law Commission report on the Bill laid before this House on 21st February. If your Lordships give this Bill a Second Reading it will be referred in the usual way to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ Lord UnderhillMy Lords, I should like to express appreciation to the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor for this consolidation Bill. As the noble and learned Lord explained, a vast number of changes have taken place since we had the last Bill. This Bill will be much appreciated by everyone involved in road traffic regulations. We express our appreciation.
§ The Lord ChancellorMy Lords, I am grateful indeed to the noble Lord for his kind words. Of course, the work of consolidation is something for which we ought constantly to offer our congratulations to the Law Commission.
§ On Question, Bill read a second time, and referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.