Has the Minister made any order?

Yes, an order had to be made not later than 1st February, and it is now proposed to annul that order.

What is the reason for annulling the order?

The reason is that when this Bill is passed, the date for entertaining applications for certificates will be extended to 1st April. Consequently, a date subsequent to that must be fixed.

Will any applications that have been turned down already on the ground of being received too late be entertained for consideration now?

Those received before 1st April.

And including those turned down already because of having been received too late.

If there is no objection I would be prepared to take the other stages now.

Is the Bill urgent?

Yes, because it is necessary to have the appointed day fixed as early as possible.

If it would not inconvenience the Minister, I would suggest leaving the Report Stage until to-morrow.

All right.