COMMENCEMENT (No. 2)

Part of Orders of the Day — Referendums Bill – in the House of Commons at 1:37 pm on 21 May 1999.

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Photo of Andrew Miller Andrew Miller Labour, Ellesmere Port and Neston 1:37, 21 May 1999

Yes I certainly can.

The substance of the new clause deals with the date of commencement. The problem is that the hon. Member for Blaby does not seem to trust anyone, but wants his so-called insurance policy to be effected immediately. I am trying to be helpful to him.

New clause 3 would make alternative provision for the implicit commencement date of the Bill's provisions. I believe—although there are greater experts on the matter than I am—that, unless an alternative date is provided, a Bill's provisions will commence automatically on Royal Assent. New clause 3 would simply provide for the Bill to come into force on a date determined by the Secretary of State.