HL Deb 17 July 1989 vol 510 cc572-3

3.6 p.m.

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern)

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. It is a consolidation Bill for the whole of the United Kingdom. I am sure that your Lordships would wish to join me in thanking the two law commissions and draftsmen for continuing their important consolidation work.

The Opticians Bill consolidates the legislation relating to the opticians' profession. The principal Act in this area of law is the Opticians Act 1958. This has been amended subsequently by, among other measures, the Health and Social Security Act 1984. The law comissions have, in accordance with usual practice, issued a report on this consolidation in which they make a number of recommendations for minor technical amendments in order that a satisfactory consolidation may be achieved. There is no matter that I need draw to the attention of the House on this occasion but we can rest assured that, if given a Second Reading, this useful Bill will be subject to the scrutiny of the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills. I beg to move.

Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time.—(The Lord Chancellor.)

Lord Mottistone

My Lords, I believe that titles of various organisations have not yet been brought up to date. I hope that there will be an opportunity to bring them to the notice of those concerned. For example, the British College of Opthalmic Opticians should now be described as the British College of Optometrists. The Bill still contains one or two small errors of that nature; I hope that they will be corrected before it leaves Parliament.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

My Lords, I join the noble and learned Lord in his expression of gratitude to the law commissions and to those who were involved in the valuable work on the production of the Bill.

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble and learned Lord for joining me in that respect. As regards the names of various bodies, I assume that the Bill has consolidated the existing law. However, I am happy to have the matters referred to by my noble friend looked into as the Bill goes to the Consolidation Committee.

On Question, Bill read a second time, and referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.