HC Deb 13 August 1919 vol 119 cc1561-3

(1) It shall be lawful for the Minister to establish and work transport services by land or water, and to acquire either by agreement or compulsorily such land or casements or rights in or over land, to construct such works, and to do all such other things as may be necessary for the purpose:

Provided that—

  1. (i) no new transport undertaking shall be established by the Ministry until an estimate of the capital expenditure required to complete it has been approved by the Treasury;
  2. (ii) if such estimate as in the preceding paragraph provided in connection with the establishment of any such service is likely to involve a total capital expenditure exceeding half a million pounds, or the acquisition of land compulsorily, or the breaking up of any roads, the Minister shall not exercise his powers unless authorised to do so by Order in Council a draft whereof has-been approved by a Resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament, and the Order may incorporate the provisions of the Lands Clauses Acts, subject to such modifications as may be specified in the Order, being modifications of those Acts made or authorised to be made by the Development and Road Improvements Funds Act, 1909, or any other enactment, and the Order may also incorporate or apply any enactments relating to the construction and maintenance of the works in question;

(2) The expenses of working services established by the Minister under this Section, shall be paid out of the revenues derived there from, and the Minister shall keep such accounts of the receipts from and expenditure on the undertakings and in such form. and those accounts shall be audited in such manner as the Treasury may prescribe.

Lords Amendments:

In Sub-section (1), after the words "and" ["to establish and work"], insert the words" either by himself or through any other person to."—Agreed to.

Leave out the words "or rights in or over land."—Agreed to.

In paragraph (i), leave out the word "Ministry" ["shall be established by the Ministry"], and insert instead thereof the word "Minister."—Agreed to.

After the word "it" ["required to complete it"], insert the words "accompanied by the details of the scheme for the establishment of the service."—Agreed to.

In paragraph (ii), leave out the words "if such estimate as in the preceding paragraph provided in connection with the establishment of," and insert instead thereof the words "in his case."—Agreed to.

Leave out the words "is likely to involve a total capital expenditure exceeding half a million pounds, or the acquisition of land compulsorily," and insert instead thereof the words such estimate as aforesaid exceeds half million pounds, or in the establishment of any such service involves the acquisition of land or easements compulsorily. —Agreed to.

After the word "powers" ["shall not exercise his powers"], insert the words "of establishing the service."—Agreed to.

In Sub-section (2), leave out the words "The expenses of working services established by the Minister under this Section," and insert instead thereof the words The Minister or other person working a service established under this Section may charge such rates, fares, tolls, and charges in connection therewith as may be prescribed by the Minister, subject to reference to the Advisory Committee on Rates hereinafter established, and the expense of working such service. —Agreed to.

After the word keep ["and the Minister shall keep such accounts"], insert the words "or cause to be kept."—Agreed to.

Leave out the word "undertakings" ["expenditure on the undertakings"], and insert instead thereof the word "services."—Agreed to.