HL Deb 22 July 1993 vol 548 c797

3.32 p.m.

Lord Wakeham

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

Again it may be helpful if I were briefly to explain the reason for this Motion. It had provisionally been agreed through the usual channels that the Second Reading of the Finance Bill would be taken after the consideration of Commons amendments to the Education Bill next Monday, 26th July. That would have left the consideration of Commons amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill to be taken on 27th July.

However, in response to a number of representations, including from the Front Bench opposite, it is now proposed that the Second Reading of the Finance Bill should be taken as first business on the Tuesday of next week, 27th July. I of course recognise the importance which your Lordships attribute to the possibility of a general economic debate arising on that occasion, and it is, I hope, more convenient for your Lordships to have that debate as first business on Tuesday rather than second business on Monday.

However, in order to accommodate this alteration in the business, it is proposed that the Commons amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill should be taken after the Education Bill on Monday 26th July. The purpose of this Motion is to give leave to my noble friend Lord Ferrers to advance his Bill in this way. I should add that subject to the progress of business, it is planned that any remaining amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill which have not been debated on 26th July should be taken after the Second Reading of the Finance Bill on the 27th July.

Moved, That leave be given to the Earl Ferrers to advance the consideration of Commons amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill [H.L.] from Tuesday the 27th of July to Monday the 26th of July.—(Lord Wakeham.)

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, we are very grateful that through the usual channels the pressures that were made known to me and to others have been accommodated. In particular, those who are involved in amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill need the grateful thanks of the House. Their business has been truncated. Nevertheless, they have been kind enough to accommodate the great wish that the Finance Bill be given a proper place in stature in the business of the House. We are very grateful to the noble Lord the Leader of the House.

On Question, Motion agreed to.