Acton, L.          Mr Russell Brown

Campbell of Alloway, L.      Mr Alistair Carmichael

Mallalieu, B.          Mr William Cash

Methuen, L.          Mr Martin Caton

Rodger of Earlsferry, L. (Chairman)  Mr Stephen Dorrell

It was moved by Mr Stephen Dorrell, That Lord Rodger of Earlsferry take the Chair for the present Session of Parliament; the same was agreed to.

Lord Rodger of Earlsferry in the Chair.

The Joint Committee considered the Statute Law (Repeals) Bill [HL].

Title of the Bill read and postponed.

Clauses 1-3 read and agreed to.

Schedules 1 and 2 read and agreed to.

The Title again read and agreed to.

Draft Report laid before the Committee -

The Committee has considered the Statute Law (Repeals) Bill, which was referred to it and also the Report of the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission on the Bill (Cm. 7303). We have heard evidence on the Bill. The Committee is of the opinion that the enactments proposed to be repealed are no longer of practical utility (except in so far as their effect is preserved), and we approve their repeal.

There is no point to which the special attention of Parliament should be drawn.

Report agreed to.

Ordered, That the draft report be the First Report of the Joint Committee.

Ordered, That the Lord in the Chair do make the Report to the House of Lords and that Mr Stephen Dorrell do make the Report to the House of Commons and do report the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee.

Ordered, That the Committee be adjourned sine die.