§ Lord TrefgarneMy Lords, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a third time. As your Lordships may know, it was not certain at what time today the Bill would be taken. I am happy to move the Third Reading now.
I am grateful to all noble Lords who have taken part during the proceedings on the Bill, which was essentially a tidying up measure. There were no significant changes to the basis upon which the Ministry of Defence Police conduct their business. The legislation upon which they were operating was in some cases 150 or more years old. I am grateful to my noble friend Lord Inglewood for the contribution that he made during an earlier stage of the Bill and to noble Lords in all parts of the House who generally gave the Bill a warm welcome. On that basis, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a third time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read a third time.—(Lord Trefgarne.)
§ Lord Graham of EdmontonMy Lords, the Bill meets with the approval of Members on this side of the House. As the Minister is aware, members of the Defence Police Federation, who are more directly affected by the Bill, have said not only that they approve of the Bill but that they were properly, adequately and lengthily consulted on it. They have asked me to express to the Minister their appreciation for the manner in which he has dealt with the points they raised.
§ On Question, Bill read a third time, and passed, and sent to the Commons.