HC Deb 10 June 1936 vol 313 cc241-2

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

4.53 p.m.

Mr. TURTON

There is one small point which I wish to put to the Parliamentary Secretary. We are grateful for the small but welcome concession which this Clause grants to agriculturists. Can he tell the Committee from what date the concession will operate? The Clause, as drafted, makes it dependent on the authority of the Minister of Transport. Another point I wish to bring forward is this: Under the Clause farm tractors and the like which go upon the roads only when passing from one part of a farm to another are to be exempted from licence duty, and I want to know whether there will be any obligation to insure against third-party risks.

4.54 p.m.

Captain HUDSON

This Clause will come into operation at once. As the hon. Member knows, it has been customary for some time for certain of these vehicles to have exemption, and the Clause will give statutory authority for what has been done.

Mr. TURTON

What about the third-party risk?

Captain HUDSON

What is actually happening is that this Clause is to give statutory authority for exempting from licence certain vehicles in certain conditions as laid down in the Clause. In effect, these exemptions have been given since 1921; and this Clause does no more than give statutory authority for what is being done. My information is that there will be actually no departure from what has been the custom, although there has been no actual statutory authority for doing it.

Mr. TURTON

The custom varies in different parts of the country. In the North Riding of Yorkshire we all pay licences on our farm tractors, even though they go on the road for only one mile a year.

Captain HUDSON

This Clause will make certain that everybody is treated the same.