HC Deb 30 April 1934 vol 289 cc41-4

3.45 p.m.

Mr. ANNESLEY SOMERVILLE

I beg to move, in page 2, line 38, at the end, to insert : (f) for requiring persons having the control of sluices or other works for drawing down or keeping back water in a source to operate them in accordance with the provisions of the order or of any direction given thereunder.

This Amendment is moved in accordance with an understanding arrived at with the Minister during the Committee stage of the Bill.

3.46 p.m.

The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Hilton Young)

My hon. Friend is quite right in saying that this Amendment is proposed on the basis of an arrangement which was arrived at in Committee upstairs. I have given very careful consideration to the wording of the Amendment in order to make sure that it carries out the understanding that was then arrived at. It does fully carry out that arrangement, and I hope, therefore, that it will be accepted by the House.

Amendment agreed to.

3.47 p.m.

Sir H. YOUNG

I beg to move, in page 2, line 39, to leave out "suspending or modifying," and to insert : the suspension or modification of a restriction as respects the taking of water from a source from which water is supplied to an inland navigation or of.

This is an Amendment in order to carry out another arrangement which was arrived at as a result of discussion in Committee. The substance of the Amendment is this : It often happens that water undertakers have power to impound waters from a stream that supplies water to or forms part of an inland navigation, and the navigation authority on their part are under obligation to supply water to various other interests who draw supplies from the same source. If the water available for the navigation authority is limited, it is quite fair that there should be a reciprocal release from the navigation authority's obligations, and it is in response to representations made on behalf of navigation authorities that I propose this Amendment, which should be taken with the two following Amendments on the Paper. If these three Amendments are incorporated, the Clause will read : In any order made for the suspension or modification of a restriction as respects the taking of water from a source from which water is supplied to an inland navigation or of an obligation to discharge compensation water into any river or stream which forms part of, or from which water is supplied to, an inland navigation, the Minister may include provisions for prohibiting or imposing limitations on the taking of water from the navigation, or for the suspension or modification of any obligation to which the navigation authority are subject as respects the discharge of water from the navigation.

Amendment agreed to.

3.49 p.m.

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)

I beg to move, in page 2, line 43, to leave out from "for" to "water," in line 44, and to insert : prohibiting or imposing limitations on the taking of.

This is a drafting Amendment.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made : In page 2, line 44, at the end, insert : or for the suspension or modification of any obligation to which the navigation authority are subject as respects the discharge of water from the navigation."—[Mr. Shakespeare.]

3.50 p.m.

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND - TROYTE

I beg to move, in page 2, line 44, after the words last inserted, to insert : (3) An order which confers on water undertakers power to prohibit, or to impose limitations on, the use of water supplied by them, may provide that, in exercising the power as respects the use of water for other than domestic purposes, the undertakers shall observe such conditions as to the reduction or suspension of charges regulated otherwise than by reference to quantities of water consumed as may be specified.

This Amendment arises out of a discussion on the Committee stage. We thought it was very unfair that if a water company supplies water for a specific purpose, such as watering a garden or washing a car, and charges extra for that purpose and then refuses to allow the water to be so used, that the consumer should have to pay the special charge.

Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWN

I beg to second the Amendment.

3.51 p.m.

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

It was generally agreed in Committee that it would be inequitable to make a man pay in advance for a supply of water for other than domestic purposes which, owing to drought, he never receives. The Amendment carries out the spirit of what seemed good to the Committee, and the Government accept it.

Mr. CAPORN

Will this apply to restrictions imposed by the Metropolitan Water Board when they send out notices asking people to economise in the use of water?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

If an Order is made the Amendment will operate, but not otherwise.

Amendment agreed to.

3.52 p.m.

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND - TROYTE

I beg to move, in page 2, line 44, after the words last inserted, to insert : (3) In the exercise of his power to make orders the Minister shall have regard to the interests of all persons concerned in the use of the water to which the order relates, whether for the purposes of agriculture, fisheries, industry, or navigation, or for other purposes.

This Amendment also arises out of a Committee stage discussion. We felt there was a great risk that the interests of the rural areas would be overlooked, and we thought it necessary that words should be put in to ensure that the Minister should take into consideration the interests of all those who might be affected by his Orders and not merely those who live in the towns.

Brigadier-General BROWN

I beg to second the Amendment.

There might be other interests affected by an Order apart from the persons whom it immediately concerns, and the Amendment is moved in order to ensure that those interests are safeguarded.

3.53 p.m.

Sir H. YOUNG

My hon. and gallant Friend is right in saying that this Amendment arises from a discussion in the Committee upstairs. I pointed out then the manner in which such a Measure as this would have to be administered, and the question was to find some form of words which would incorporate in the Bill the right phrases as regards what fair and equitable administration of the Measure would be. The words in the Amendment, I think, are adequate and suitable for the purpose, and I propose to recommend the acceptance of it.

Amendment agreed to.