HC Deb 08 July 1930 vol 241 cc305-8
Miss LAWRENCE

I beg to move, in page 1, to leave out the words from the word "or" in line 16, to the word "are," in line 17.

This Amendment and the next one I shall move are inserted purely in the interests of grammatical construction. They make no difference in the sense.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 2, line 3, after the word "area," insert the words: and that the other buildings, if any, in the area are for a like reason dangerous or injurious to the health of the said inhabitants."—[Miss Lawrence.]

Miss LAWRENCE

I beg to move, in page 2, line 7, after the word "map," to insert the words: in such manner as to exclude from the area any building which is not unfit for human habitation or dangerous or injurious to health.

Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLE

When this matter was before the Standing Committee, it was proved that bit by bit the "area" was being riddled so that we could no longer recognise it as an area. It was riddled by bits being cut out of it or off it, and now under this Amendment by buildings being cut out of it. The "area" remaining is more like a sieve and may be entirely unrecognisable as an area. It was generally understood, after rather long discussion in Committee, that to describe what was left as an "area" was an entire misdescription and might be misleading. I thought it was understood that the Attorney-General would see whether he could not devise some words which would meet the case. Has that been found absolutely impossible?

Amendment agreed to.

Miss LAWRENCE

I beg to move, in page 2, line 14, after the word "that," to insert the words "in so far as."

In Committee it was desired to make it perfectly clear that the alternative accommodation to be provided might be provided by public utility societies or even by owners. These words are to cover the case where a public utility society may be ready to provide the accommodation for the persons displaced.

Amendment agreed to.

Miss LAWRENCE

I beg to move, in page 2, line 16, to leave out the words from the word "area" to the word "in" in line 17, and to insert instead thereof the words: does not already exist, the authority can provide, or secure the provision of, such accommodation.

Question, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause," put, and negatived.

Question proposed, "That those words he there inserted in the Bill."

Dr. VERNON DAVIES

I beg to move, as an Amendment to the proposed Amendment, in line 2, to leave out the word "can," and to insert instead thereof the word "will."

We had a long and interesting discussion in the Standing Committee as to the relative values of these words. We understood from the Parliamentary Secretary that it was really a matter of moods and tenses. That was not our object in moving the Amendment. The whole purpose of the Bill is to provide alternative accommodation for the people of the working class who are moved out of the slums. If you remove 100 people you have to provide new accommodation or build new houses to accommodate 100 people. The Parliamentary Secretary said that it was impossible for any man to say that he "will" provide such a thing in future. I would again press upon the attention of the Minister that "will" is the better word. We are not dealing here with individuals, but with a corporate entity, the local authority. If certain members of it die, its work is still carried on by their successors. If you say that a local authority "will" do a certain thing it is very much stronger than saying that it "can." It is quite easy for a local authority to say that it can provide accommodation, but we want to strengthen the Bill and to make absolutely certain that the authority "will" provide, or secure the provision of, such accommodation. I hope that now the Minister can meet us by accepting this Amendment.

Sir P. PILDITCH

I beg to second the Amendment to the proposed Amendment.

Miss LAWRENCE

I am afraid that I must stand, as I did in Committee, by the word "can." I ask the House to consider the point reached by the local authority. They are contemplating houses. Before they can pass a Resolution they have to see what is necessary, to see what accommodation they can provide, and to ascertain the cost. Clause 9 provides that they have to satisfy the Minister that they are in fact ready and willing and prepared to provide the accommodation necessary. What in this case we are asking them to do is to count the cost, to see what is necessary and to see whether their finances will bear the cost. Without wearying the House too long on the question as between "can" and "will," I say that in this case we think "can" is the proper word.

Amendment to proposed Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Miss LAWRENCE

I beg to move, in page 2, line 29, to leave out the words "to be."

The Amendment and one which follows are drafting Amendments. The second is to meet a point urged by the London County Council, that in the case of that great authority two months is too short a time.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 2, line 29, leave out the words from the word "statement" to the word "were" in line 31.—[Miss Lawrence.]

In line 35, leave out from the first word "the" to the word "proceed" in line 36, and insert instead thereof the words: appropriate provisions hereafter in this Act contained.

In line 37, leave out the word "thereof," and insert instead thereof the words "of the area."—[Miss Lawrence.]