EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

5.42 p.m.

The Minister for Labour and Law (Mr K. M. Byrne): Mr (Deputy) Speaker, Sir, I move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Mr (Deputy) Speaker, Sir, this Bill is rendered necessary in view of clause 15 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill. It seeks to make caution statements by accused persons to police officers admissible in evidence. If that clause is enacted as law, Mr (Deputy) Speaker, Sir, it will be necessary for sections 25 and 26 of the Evidence Ordinance to be repealed, as these sections exclude confessions by accused persons to police officers.

I beg to move.

Question proposed.

5.44 p.m.

Mr Rajah: Mr (Deputy) Speaker, Sir, I do not wish to speak on this at any length except to say that, in view of the fact that the Evidence (Amendment) Bill is dependent on the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill passing through in all its aspects, I shall, at the proper time, move that it be committed to a Select Committee.

Mr Byrne: Mr (Deputy) Speaker, I have already moved the Second Reading of this Bill, and in view of the fact that the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill has been sent to Select Committee, I would also move that this Bill be referred to a Select Committee.

Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr G. Kandasamy): Order. If there are no other Members who wish to speak on this Bill, I shall put the Question to the House, and when the Question is agreed to, I shall then ask for a motion from Mr Rajah or Mr Byrne.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Committed to a Select Committee consisting of Mr Speaker as Chairman and such Members as may be nominated by the Committee of Selection.- [Mr A. P. Rajah].