HC Deb 24 June 1924 vol 175 cc391-3
Viscount CURZON

I beg to move, in page 16, line 18, to leave out from the word "any," to the word "without," in line 19, and to insert instead thereof the words Obligation upon a local authority to incur any expenditure on or in connection with the improvement of any road or the construction of any new road. The object of this Amendment is to reverse a decision arrived at in Committee. The only reason why I then supported an Amendment in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston (Mr. Penny), Which was carried, was because I did not fully appreciate the reasons why it was undesirable that his Amendment should be accepted. I have since had an opportunity of further acquainting myself with its possible effects, and if the Clause stands as it is in the Bill at present it will mean that any local authority will be able to check the Minister in declaring an approved route simply by saying that it is going to throw an increased cost upon them for road repairs. I do not think that would be reasonable and it would destroy in a large degree the usefulness of the Bill, and therefore I hope the present Amendment will be accepted.

Mr. REMER

I beg to second the Amendment.

Mr. GOSLING

I accept this Amendment.

Amendment agreed to.