HC Deb 06 December 1932 vol 272 cc1585-8

Amendments made: In page 113, line 14, leave out the word "thirty-two," and insert instead thereof the word "thirty-three."

In line 21, leave out the word "thirty-two," and insert instead thereof the word "thirty-three."

In line 26, after the word "undertaking," insert the words "or the Lewis undertaking."

In line 30, leave out the word "thirty-two," and insert instead thereof the word "thirty-three."—[The Attorney-General.]

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I beg to move, in page 113, line 35, at the end, to insert the words: and (d) for the purposes of Sub-section (7) of Section thirty-eight, and of Sub-section (2) of Section forty-five of this Act, the day immediately preceding the earliest date fixed as the appointed day in relation to the transfer of any undertaking. the consideration for the transfer of which is in whole or in part satisfied by an issue of C stock. This Amendment refers to the question of interest on "C" stock. The purpose is to secure that the two years of which we were speaking in respect of which the interest on the "C" stock is payable at the standard rate, which is 5 per cent., shall in all cases run from the earliest day after the appointed day for any undertaking for which the consideration is paid either wholly or partly in cash for "C" stock.

Amendment agreed to.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I beg to move, in page 114, line 5, at the end, to insert the words: Company,' where used in relation to companies specified in Part I, of the First Schedule to this Act, includes Lots Road Power House Joint Committee. The Lots Road power house is managed by a joint committee of the undertakings that own it. This Amendment is to give that committee the status of a company. It is merely a device for facilitating the arrangements.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 114, line 6, leave out the words "means and".—[The Attorney-General.]

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I beg to move, in page 114, line 9, to leave out from the word "Fares," to the end of line 10, and to insert instead thereof the words: means fares and other charges in connection with the conveyance of passengers and their luggage.

Sir S. CRIPPS

Does this cover the question of parcels traffic? Is there any provision for fixing the question of parcels traffic apart from the provision for fares, or does parcels traffic come within the expression "fares," so that the same machinery covers those charges?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I am not sure about that. It was intended to cover fares and passengers' luggage. I am not sure whether parcels tome into it.

Sir S. C RIPPS

Is there any provision in the Bill at all for it?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

It is covered, I am told, by the Railways Act.

Sir S. CRIPPS

Is it covered for omnibuses?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Not for omnibuses. The hon. and learned Gentleman has raised a question which, for the moment, I cannot answer, but I will take care that parcels are provided for on omnibuses.

Sir J. NALL

While the London General Omnibus Company and the Underground do not cater for parcels, the Metropolitan Railway Company do. Are their charges in any way affected by this Amendment?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

This Amendment covers, in fact, fares and other charges in connection with passengers and passengers' luggage. The idea is to bring that all under the jurisdiction of the same tribunal but I will look into the question of parcels and insert a provision if necessary.

Amendment agreed to.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I beg to move, in page 114, to leave out from the first word "Area," in line 14, to the second word "the," in line 16, and to insert instead thereof the words "has the same meaning as in."

This Amendment is necessary in consequence of the fact that the London traffic area now ceases to be an area for the purposes of the Act of 1930 and remains a purely administrative area for the purposes of the Act of 1924.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 114, line 17, leave out the words "and the Road Traffic Act, 1930."

In line 25, at the end, insert the words: Rates Tribunal ' means the Railway Rates Tribunal established under the Railways Act, 1921."—[The Attorney-General.]

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I beg to move, in page 114, line 28, after the word "paid," to insert the words "or payable."

Sir S. CRIPPS

May I ask the learned Attorney-General the meaning of this Amendment? The words "or payable" seem to cover a contingent liability going on for ever. I am not certain what it is that has to be deducted from the receipts before arriving at the revenue of the board in any period of time. Does "payable" mean "due and payable," or does it mean payable at some future date, or what does it mean?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I think it means "due and payable."

Sir S. CRIPPS

That should be inserted.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Yes. Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 114, line 31, at the end, insert the words: Special Area ' means so much of the London Passenger Transport Area as lies within the London Traffic Area. Statutory Company ' means a company incorporated by special Act.

In page 115, line 14, leave out the word "twenty-nine," and insert instead thereof the word "twenty-seven."

In line 34, after the second word "be," insert the words "a company owning."—[The Attorney-General.]