I move: "That the Second Stage be ordered for Tuesday next, 13 December 1983."
Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 1983: Order for Second Stage.
Bill entitled an Act to provide for the establishment of a Department of Communications, to transfer the functions of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and of the Minister for Transport to the Minister for Communications, to abolish the offices of Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and Minister for Transport, to provide for certain other matters aforesaid and for those purposes to amend and extend the Ministers and Secretaries Acts, 1924 to 1980.
Is that agreed?
I understood that this Bill would not be taken until after the recess.
Sorry?
My information was that the Government did not intend to take this Bill or the following one on the Order Paper until after the recess. Perhaps I have been misinformed.
The object of this Bill is to set up a new Department of Communications and, for legal reasons, it has to be taken before the recess so that it will come into force simultaneously with vesting day.
Is Second Stage agreed for Tuesday next?
Subject to agreement between the Whips.
Question put and agreed to.