HC Deb 30 November 1914 vol 68 cc742-4

  1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Land Drainage Act, 1914.
  2. (2) The powers of making Provisional Orders under this Act shall not be exercised after the expiration of two years from the passing of this Act, except for the purpose of amending an existing Provisional Order; but nothing in this Subsection shall prejudice or affect any 743 powers or provisions contained in any Provisional Order made before the expiration of that period.

Sir F. BANBURY

I beg to move, in Sub-section (2), after the word "Order" ["of amending an existing Provisional Order"], to insert the words "made under this Act." This is a small drafting Amendment, and I hope the hon. Baronet will be disposed to accept it.

Sir H. VERNEY

This Act is only to last for two years, and there is no intention of amending any Provisional Order, except when made under this Act, and I give a guarantee, for what it is worth, that no such alteration will be made. I quite understand the hon. Baronet requires a guarantee. I understand no Amendment could be legally made except of a Provisional Order under this Act. If the hon. Baronet looks at Sub-section (7) of the Schedule, he will see that— Any Provisional Order made under this Act may be repealed, altered, or amended by any Provisional Order made by the Board in like manner as the original Order and confirmed by Parliament. That also applies to Sub-section (2) of Section 4, and while there is no objection to the words, I think he will agree they are not wanted, and it is better not to have words that are redundant.

Sir F. BANBURY

I would rather have them in. I do not think they could do any harm. I am certain Sub-section (7) of the Schedule makes it quite clear, but I would rather the words were put in here.

Sir H. VERNEY

I would rather that the words were omitted.

Sir F. BANBURY

I do not deny that the Bill may be perfectly clear without them, and I have no doubt that the hon. Baronet will adhere to his statement, but I would point out that a statement made here does not in any kind of way bind the Law Courts afterwards. If the hon. Baronet does not mind I would rather that they were put in, and if on Monday, after consultation with the Law Officers, he finds that they are unnecessary and he can give me that assurance they can be struck out.

Sir H. VERNEY

The hon. Baronet is always generous in his arrangements, but I would like the matter dealt with now, and what he suggests can be done at a later stage.

Question, "That those words be there inserted," put, and agreed to.

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.