HC Deb 28 July 1930 vol 242 cc177-9

Amendments made: In page 44, line 29, after the word "the," insert the word "drainage."

In line 29, leave out from the word "system" to the first "in" in line 30.

In line 35, leave out the word "channels" and insert instead thereof the word "watercourses."—[Dr. Addison.]

Consequential Amendments made.

Further Amendments: In line 11, leave out the words "and remove."—[Dr. Addison.]

Dr. ADDISON

I beg to move, in page 45, line 12, to leave out the word "therein" and to insert instead thereof the words" in the watercourse, and when cut to remove them therefrom."

Sir BASIL PETO

Why should the perfectly clear wording of this Clause as it stands be altered by the omission of the word "therein" and the substitution of the proposed words? The Clause as drafted is much simpler, is better English and is preferable in every way to the Amendment. While asking for an explanation on that point I think we are also entitled to ask why we should have to deal at this stage with so many Government Amendments. We have now passed some three pages of Government Amendments. You, Mr. Speaker, just now reminded the House that there had been a Committee stage of this Bill. I do not know why, then, it should be necessary for us, late in the evening, to have to go through page after page of Government Amendments at great pains to yourself, Mr. Speaker, and certainly without any amusement to the House. In a Bill of this kind surely all these Amendments ought to have been considered long before the Report stage.

Dr. ADDISON

I think we have fewer Government Amendments on this Bill than I have known on many other Bills So far as this particular Amendment is concerned, I think the hon. Baronet is entitled to say that we ought to have thought of it before. I plead guilty to that, but I am advised that the words in the Bill might mean that a man might have cut the vegetable growths but not have pulled them out. We want to make sure that when persons have cut these growths they shall not leave them in the ditch.

Amendment agreed to.

Sir W. WAYLAND

I beg to move, in page 45, line 12, at the end, to insert the words "or accumulations of mud."

Mr. HASLAM

I beg to second the Amendment.

Sir B. PETO

After the Amendment last inserted, I suggest that the Amendment of the hon. Member ought to be "or accumulations of mud therefrom," "or accumulations of mud therein therefrom."

Mr. GUINNESS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the word "mud" will include "sand."

Dr. ADDISON

I do not think that the Amendment would be quite fair. It might mean that a man would be called upon to remove mud that had been brought down from somewhere else. I cannot say whether the word "mud" would include sand, but I should think it would. While it would not be fair to call upon a man to remove mud which had been brought down from elsewhere. it is fair to Insist that any growth that may have been cut shall be removed from the watercourses.

Amendment negatived.

Dr. ADDISON

I beg to move, in page 34, line 20, at the end, to insert the words: and in the case of a bye-law made by an internal drainage board has also been given to the council of every county, county borough, or county district whose area, or any part of whose area is situate in the drainage district. This Amendment is to ensure that the by-laws shall be made available to the councils of every county, county borough or county district whose area is situate in a drainage district. I undertook in Committee to bring forward this Amendment.

Mr. WELLS

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the Amendment.

Sir E. SHEPPERSON

I do not know whether the Minister realises that he is putting a great burden on a large number of small internal drainage districts by compelling them to write out these bylaws and to send them to the county councils and catchment boards. I have no recollection of that undertaking being given in Committee. He is placing a great burden on the clerks of internal drainage boards, and as I constantly have to act in the capacity of a very inefficient clerk to a drainage district, I do not appreciate this extra burden being placed upon my inefficient shoulders.

Dr. ADDISON

The hon. Gentleman is under a misunderstanding. All that is required is that he should put a copy in an envelope with a halfpenny stamp on it, and send it to the clerk of the council of the county borough or county district in which the drainage district is situated. I am quite sure that he could do that without much trouble.

Amendment agreed to.