HC Deb 15 July 1930 vol 241 cc1159-60
Mr. JOHNSTON

I beg to move, in page 8, line 18, to leave out the words "If the Department so require."

The purpose of this Amendment, together with the small Amendment which follows, is to bring the Bill into complete accord with the English Bill upon this point. The obligations upon a local authority who have passed either a clearance resolution or an improvement resolution to rehouse displaced persons should not depend upon a specific requirement of the Department but should be automatic.

Major ELLIOT

It seems to be quite unnecessary that we should try to bring this Bill into harmony with the English Bill.

Mr. McSHANE

Degrading the Bill to the English standard!

Major ELLIOT

I hope we shall not have to do that; we have not fallen as far as that. I am a little uneasy about the proposal. The Clause left a certain amount of discretion with the Department. The leaving cut of the words of the Amendment will mean that it will be compulsory on the local authority under all conditions. This proposal was not brought up when the Bill was in Committee and is apparently put forward now only in order to bring the Bill into harmony with the English Measure. I hope this will not be a precedent, and that we shall not be asked to accept other Amendments simply to bring matters into harmony with the English Bill. I am quite content to accept this Amendment if it is made on its merits, but if it has been introduced to bring the Bill into accord with the English Measure I should be inclined to object. I hope I may have an assurance that the Under-Secretary is not seeking to make the two Bills identical, letter for letter, comma for comma.

Mr. JOHNSTON

I am sure the hon. and gallant Member has not observed any undue precipitancy on my part towards bringing the Scottish Bill into line with the English Measure, and that he knows perfectly well that we should propose no Amendment except for the purpose of making the Bill a more efficient Measure.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 8, line 23, after the word "operations," insert the words "if any.".—[Mr. Johnston.]