HL Deb 08 July 1985 vol 466 cc7-8

2.54 p.m.

The Chairman of Committees (Lord Aberdare) rose to move, That the Select Committee to whom the Bill has been committed may hear evidence other than that tendered by the parties entitled to be heard.

The noble Lord said: My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

When this marriage enabling Bill had a Second Reading on Friday 21st June last, I undertook that it would be committed to a Select Committee rather than to an Unopposed Bill Committee so that the facts alleged in the petition can be properly examined and a full report made to the House before its Third Reading.

Your Lordships will see from the Minutes of Proceedings of Thursday 4th July that, in accordance with the powers conferred on me under Private Business Standing Orders Nos. 160 and 161, I have already taken steps to commit the Bill to a Select Committee, and that I have appointed four noble Lords to serve with me on that Select Committee. However, Select Committees on Private Bills have no power without the leave of the House to hear evidence other than that tendered by the parties promoting the Bill or petitioning against it. Since it may be necessary for the committee to hear evidence from parties other than Sonia Ann Billington and Norbury Billington, a Motion is required in the terms that I have now moved. If the committee cannot obtain the evidence which it thinks necessary under the powers given to them in this Motion they would have the right so to report to the House and the House could then make a further order. I beg to move.

Moved, That the Select Committee to whom the Bill has been committed may hear evidence other than that tendered by the parties entitled to be heard—(Lord Aberdare.)

Lord Mishcon

My Lords, would the noble Lord the Chairman of Committees take it that we on these Benches are pleased that he exercised the powers to which he referred so that this Bill has gone to a Select Committee? Can he tell the House whether the proceedings will be held in camera? Can he undertake that the Procedure Committee will take an early opportunity of considering whether all marriage enabling Bills will similarly be referred to Select Committees?

Lord Aberdare

My Lords, in reply to the noble Lord, Lord Mishcon, perhaps I may say that any committee can decide to hear evidence in camera. It is unusual, but in the special circumstances of this case it could well be that the committee will decide to do so. To turn to the noble Lord's second point, we are having discussions about the best way of handling these Bills in future. I am not sure that it would be the best solution to refer these matters to the Procedure Committee. However, I shall keep in touch with the noble Lord.

On Question, Motion agreed to.