HL Deb 26 June 1986 vol 477 cc420-2

3.30 p.m.

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now resolve itself into Committee (on re-commitment) on this Bill.

Moved, That the House do now resolve itself into Committee (on re-commitment).—(The Lord Chancellor.)

On Question Motion agreed to.

House in Committee (on re-commitment) accordingly.

[The LORD ABERDARE in the Chair.]

Clauses 1 to 82 agreed to.

Clause 83 [Companies registered under Companies Act, Part XXII, Chapter II]:

The Lord Chancellor moved Amendment No. 1: Page 52, line 25, leave out ("the Companies") and insert ("this").

The noble and learned Lord said: I should like, if I may, to take Amendments Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together. I am afraid that my quick-change act might lead some people to say plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. May I, before I address myself to these three amendments with the leave of the Committee, take the opportunity to say a word of tribute to my noble and learned friend Lord Brightman? Some noble Lords will know that this piece of consolidation will be his last as chairman of the Joint Committee, and I am sure that all sides of this Committee would wish to join me in thanking him for his valuable work in leading this most useful of the House's bodies.

Turning to the amendments, Nos. 1 and 3 are identical and relate to provisions concerning deceased, bankrupt, or insolvent contributories. The provisions referred to are those contained in Clauses 81 and 82 of this Bill and are not, as the Bill presently states, provisions of the Companies Acts. Amendment No. 2 between them, removes a superfluous definite article. I beg to move.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

May I intervene merely to join in the congratulations and gratitude to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Brightman, for the great work he has done, along with his colleagues, on this heart-breaking and difficult work of consolidation, particu-larly on this Bill!

Lord Lloyd of Kilgerran

May I intervene and declare an interest in that I am a member of the Select Committee dealing with these consolidation matters? I should like to join the noble and learned Lord, Lord Elwyn-Jones, in praise for the work of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Brightman, and also for the work of the principal witnesses. The principal witnesses did an extremely fine job in relation to this Bill.

On Question, amendment agreed to.

Clause 83, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 84 to 137 agreed to.

Clause 138 [Appointment of liquidator in Scotland]:

The Lord Chancellor moved Amendment No. 2: Page 77, line 10, leave out ("the").

On Question, amendment agreed to.

Clause 138, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 139 to 225 agreed to.

Clause 226 [Contributories in winding up of unregistered company]:

The Lord Chancellor moved Amendment No. 3: Page 124, line 42, leave out ("the Companies") and insert ("this").

On Question, amendment agreed to.

Clause 226, as amended, agreed to.

Remaining clauses agreed to.

In the Schedules:

Schedules 1 to 5 agreed to.

Schedule 6 [The categories of preferential debts]:

The Lord Chancellor moved Amendment No. 4: Page 269, line 29, leave out from beginning to ("or") in line 30.

The noble and learned Lord said: Amendments Nos. 4 and 5 are to correct minute mistakes. They arise as a result of other Bills currently before Parliament. Amendment No. 4 is consequential upon provisions of the Social Security Bill. Amendment No. 5 is consequential upon provisions of the Gas Bill, which has relatively little to do with insolvency, but I am told that these amendments are necessary. I beg to move.

Lord Lloyd of Kilgerran

I must make a confession in that I was not present when the Select Committee considered this matter. But is it technically correct that "The Gas Act 1986", which has not yet passed through this Chamber, should be now inserted into this Bill?

The Lord Chancellor

I raised exactly the same point when I first saw this amendment, and was assured that it was all in order. But I cannot really go into the technicalities of it, because I do not understand it.

Lord Lloyd of Kilgerran

Of course, I will accept what the noble and learned Lord has said.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

It has been done before.

On Question, amendment agreed to.

Schedule 6, as amended, agreed to.

Schedules 7 to 11 agreed to.

Schedule 12 [Enactments repealed]:

The Lord Chancellor moved Amendment No. 5: Page 296, line 57, at end insert—

("1986 c. 00 The Gas Act 1986. In Schedule 7, paragraph 31.").

The noble and learned Lord said: I have already explained that this amendment refers to the Gas Bill. I beg to move.

On Question, amendment agreed to.

Schedule 12, as amended, agreed to.

Remaining Schedules agreed to.

House resumed: Bill reported with the amendments.