§ Amendment made: In page II, line 43, leave out "may," and insert "shall."—[The Lord Advocate.]
1296§ 9.35 p.m.
§ The Lord AdvocateI beg to move, in page 12, line 2, after "and," to insert:
except in any case where the approval of the Secretary of State has been obtained.When this Clause was under consideration we undertook to consider further whether it might not be too rigid to provide that in no case should harbour or local authorities be entitled to collect less than 75 per cent. of the scheduled dues. Having looked into the matter, it has occurred to us that much the best way of dealing with that difficulty was to make exceptions where the approval of the Secretary of State has been obtained. That will enable exceptional cases to be dealt with on their merits. I wish to emphasise that it is intended to make these cases definitely exceptional in order that there shall be a full safeguard against a diminution of earning capacity of the harbour authorities and in consequence financial instability.
§ Amendment agreed to.