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2.26 pm

Mr. Maclean: I am pleased to add my congratulations to the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr. Clarke) on his early piloting of the Bill through the House. I congratulate also the hon. Member for Paisley, North (Mrs. Adams), whom I have already commended for her courage in her constituency and for the skilful way in which she has piloted the Bill today. It is important particularly that I congratulate the Minister. He paid tribute to his hon. Friends and to my right hon. and hon. Friends and me for the quality of our amendments, which is rather flattering. He was either making that up or it was in his notes from his officials, in which case I am glad that we were able to impress Scottish Office officials with the quality of our drafting.

Some of our amendments were designed as probing amendments, but I would genuinely have wished to see others of them inserted in the Bill. Given the Minister's assurances that matters were already in hand or that the matters we were raising were already covered somewhere in the Bill, or that he would take up our suggestions and issue guidance and codes of practice, for example, he persuaded us not to proceed with our amendments.

I hold out the Minister as an example to be followed by some other Ministers, perhaps from south of the border, who come to the House on Fridays and become rather impatient or intolerant when they do not get their Bills through in 10 minutes flat, without Members considering them in any detail. The Bills that have come before us today have been given proper consideration.

I hope that Labour Back-Bench Members will not get too annoyed with the rest of the Government when their precious Bills are ruthlessly destroyed by the Government in a few minutes' time. It is of great regret to me that we shall not be able to consider those matters properly, as we have considered the Bill. That is because the Government have given the poisoned chalice to those nice guys from the Government Whips Office, who have to kill off legislation that the Government find intolerable.

My right hon. and hon. Friends and I thought that the Bill was good and that is why we supported it. We thought that it could be improved slightly but we were willing to accept the guidance not only of the Minister, but of the Scottish Association for Mental Health, which welcomed the Bill. It said that it was


It spoke of the need for safeguards, and I thought that it was worth while pursuing that point. However, I was happy to back down in the light of the Minister's assurances.

23 Jul 1999 : Column 1543

The Law Society of Scotland is also in favour of the provisions of the Bill, stating that it will


The society has urged Members to support the Bill. The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland also welcomes the Bill.

In these circumstances, I am happy to see the Bill pass into law. I congratulate all who have been associated with getting it this far. I hope that the measure is successful in Scotland in the coming months once it is legislation.

2.29 pm

Mrs. Irene Adams: We have had a short but interesting debate and there remains little to be said. However, I am grateful for the positive contributions that have been made, and it is good to see all Members on both sides of the House supporting the aims of the Bill.

Incapacity is no respecter of persons. It behoves us all to do everything in our power to improve the circumstances of those who sadly find themselves in that situation.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the Third time, and passed.

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FUR FARMING (PROHIBITION) BILL

As amended in the Standing Committee, further considered.

Clause 3

Effect of Forfeiture Orders


Amendment proposed [14 May]: No. 36, in page 2, line 20, at the end to insert the words--
'(c) in Northern Ireland, to the Crown Court'.--(Mr. Forth.).

Question again proposed, That the amendment be made.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Michael Lord): I remind the House that with this we are discussing the following amendments: No. 37, in clause 5, page 3, line 42, at end insert--


No. 38, in clause 6, page 4, line 6, at end insert--


    '(d) in relation to Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State'.

No. 35, in clause 7, page 4, line 13, leave out subsection (5).

Mr. David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): Mr. Deputy Speaker--

It being half-past Two o'clock, the debate stood adjourned.

Debate to be resumed on Friday 5 November.

23 Jul 1999 : Column 1545

Remaining Private Members' Bills

REFERENDUMS BILL

Order read for resuming adjourned debate on new clause--(Commencement (No.2))--proposed [21 May] on further consideration of Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee.

Hon. Members: Object.

Debate further adjourned till Friday 5 November.

CROWN PREROGATIVES (PARLIAMENTARY CONTROL) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.--[Queen's consent, on behalf of the Crown, signified.]

Hon. Members: Object.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Michael Lord): Second Reading what day? No day named.

TRANSPORT OF FARM ANIMALS BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Second Reading what day? No day named.

MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ (PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: As the Queen's consent has not been obtained, this cannot be dealt with. Second Reading what day? No day named.

SEA FISHERIES (SHELLFISH) (AMENDMENT) BILL [LORDS]

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Second Reading what day? No day named.

SEXUAL OFFENCES (ANONYMITY OF DEFENDANTS) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Second Reading what day? No day named.

23 Jul 1999 : Column 1546

RECYCLED CONTENT OF NEWSPRINT BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Second Reading what day? No day named.

COMPUTER MILLENNIUM NON-COMPLIANCE (CONTINGENCY PLANS) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Second Reading deferred till Friday 5 November.

CANCER CARE BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Second Reading deferred till Friday 5 November.

FUEL SAFETY BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Second Reading deferred till Friday 5 November.

RECYCLING OF HOUSEHOLD WASTE BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Second Reading deferred till Friday 29 October.

POVERTY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION (NATIONAL STRATEGY) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Second Reading what day? No day named.

CHEQUES (SCOTLAND) BILL

Order read for resuming adjourned debate on Second Reading [19 March].

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Not moved.

MOTOR ACCIDENT INJURY COMPENSATION BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Second Reading deferred till Friday 5 November.

23 Jul 1999 : Column 1547

BELLS ON PEDAL CYCLES BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Second Reading what day? No day named.

PREVENTION OF DELAY IN TRIALS BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Second Reading deferred till Friday 5 November.

DIGITAL TELEVISION BROADCASTING BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Hon. Members: Object.

Second Reading deferred till Friday 5 November.

MISUSE OF DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

Mr. Paul Flynn (Newport, West): Moved in the name of compassion and common sense.

Hon. Members: Object.

Second Reading deferred till Friday 5 November.

CONCESSIONARY TELEVISION LICENCES FOR PENSIONERS BILL

Order for Second Reading read.


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