HC Deb 04 December 1916 vol 88 cc752-4

(1) At any time after the expiration of two years from the passing of this Act", if it appears to the Local Government Board, on the application of the corporation, that the rebuilding or restoration of a house or building destroyed or damaged in the course of the recent disturbances has not been commenced or, although commenced, has been discontinued, the Board may, unless they are satisfied that the rebuilding or restoration will be completed within a reasonable time, make an Order authorising the corporation to acquire the site thereof.

(2) Applications under this Section shall be made in such manner and after publication and service of such notices as may be prescribed, and before making an Order the Board shall consider any objections which may be made thereto by any persons interested in the site.

(3) When an Order is made under this Section the Corporation shall have power to acquire the site specified in the Order under the Public Health (Ireland) Acts, 1878 to 1907, as amended by this Act, in like manner as if it were land required for the purpose of improving a street, and may sell, let, or otherwise dispose of the same when acquired in such manner as may be sanctioned by the Local Government Board.

Mr. DUKE

I beg to move, in Sub-section (2), after the word "manner"["in such manner as may be sanctioned"], to insert the words "and on such conditions."

This is one of two Amendments which were designed, with the consent of everybody substantially interested, to meet the objection of this kind which was made, namely, that the corporation, when they have used compulsory powers to acquire sites because others have made default in occupying them, might themselves become defaulters. A discussion took place between the parties and the difficulty has been met by the adoption of the proposal contained in this Amendment and the next one.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. DUKE

I beg to move, at the end of the Clause, to add the words "including conditions for securing the eretion of suitable buildings on the site. Provided that it shall be the duty of the corporation, on the expiration of two years from the acquisition of the site by them, to erect thereon suitable buildings if they have not in the meantime sold, let, or otherwise disposed of the site as aforesaid."

Amendment agreed to.

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

Clauses 5 (Expenses and Borrowing, etc.,) 6 (Interpretation,) and 7 (Short Title) ordered to stand part of the Bill.