HC Deb 13 December 1932 vol 273 c279

(1) Any existing functions of or powers exercisable by the Railway and Canal Commission shall, in so far as they are exercisable by the rates tribunal by virtue of this Act, cease to he the functions of or powers exercisable by that Commission.

(2) The provisions set out in the Seventh Schedule to this Act shall have effect in relation to the exercise by the rates tribunal of the functions and powers conferred on that tribunal by this Act.—[The Attorney-General.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

The ATTORNEY - GENERAL (Sir Thomas Inskip)

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."

7.47 p.m.

The Clause deals with the point raised by the hon. and learned Member for East Bristol (Sir S. Cripps). The Railway Rates Tribunal has already, by Amendments made to the Bill, been given jurisdiction over facilities. The first Sub-section of the proposed new Clause is to prevent the duplication of jurisdiction which would follow from the Railway and Canal Commission being left with their powers unimpaired. We prevent that duplication by the first Sub-section transferring the jurisdiction of the Railway and Canal Commission to the Railway Rates Tribunal. Sub-section (2) is merely a reproduction in this place of a Sub-section which originally appeared in the Bill in Clauses 29 and 34. We made Amendments taking it out of those Clauses, and it appears here, so that the second Sub-section is merely a question of redrafting.

Clause added to the Bill.