HL Deb 28 January 1987 vol 483 cc1344-5
Viscount Whitelaw

My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

Noble Lords will recall that last year, on 24th June, this House concurred with the Commons' resolution of 18th June that it would be desirable to appoint a joint committee of both Houses to consider the whole question of private Bill procedure. Another place has appointed its members and it now behoves this House to do the same in the terms of the Motion set out on the Order Paper. I beg to move.

Moved, That the Commons message of 20th January be now considered and that a Select Committee of seven Lords be appointed to join with the Committee appointed by the Commons to examine the processes of enacting Private Legislation and to consider whether:

  1. (a) there are any matters of a kind at present dealt with by Private Bill which could more appropriately be dealt with some other way, taking account of the interests both of Promoters and other affected parties;
  2. (b) any changes are desirable in Private Bill procedure; and
  3. (c) amendments are desirable to the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936 and the procedure thereunder;
and to consider whether any amendments are desirable to the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945.

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the Lords following be named of the Committee:

That the Committee have power to agree with the Commons in the appointment of a Chairman; and

That the Joint Committee do meet on Wednesday the 4th of February next at half-past four o'clock.—(Viscount Whitelaw.)

On Question, Motion agreed to; and it was ordered that a Message be sent to the Commons to acquaint them therewith.

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