HC Deb 02 May 1929 vol 227 cc1875-6

CLAUSE 31.—(Provisions for protection of certain railway, canal and other companies.)

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

I beg to move, in page 27, line 9, after the word "not," to insert the words "except for the purposes of survey and inspection."

I hope the Minister of Agriculture will accept this Amendment. The railway and canal companies are very well catered for. They have many safeguards already in one or two of the Clauses. It seems to me that the Central Board should be privileged to enter upon certain lines and works, either of railways or companies, so long as they only do so in the course of their duty. The railway and canal companies are well safeguarded in previous Clauses, and the Minister might accept this Amendment.

Mr. GUINNESS

The insertion of a provision that notice must be given to railway and canal companies is a common form. This particular Sub-section is taken from the West Riding of Yorkshire Drainage Act. The railway companies are under certain liabilities in case of accident, and if people go wandering about railway lines without giving notice, for the purposes of survey and inspection, it would not remove liability from a railway company in case of accident. It is so universal a provision in these Bills that I do not think it would be right to accept this exception.

Amendment negatived.

Question, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill," put, and agreed to.