§ Order read for Consideration of Lords Amendments.
§ Motion made, and Question, "That the Lords Amendments be now considered," put, and agreed to.—[Mr. Lawson.]
§ Lords Amendments considered accordingly.
§ CLAUSE 1.—(Coal mine refuse liable to spontaneous combustion to be deemed a nuisance.)
§ Lords Amendment: In page 1, line 8, leave out "which is liable to spontaneous combustion," and insert:
"in respect of which there is reasonable cause to believe that spontaneous combustion is likely to occur."2584
§ 1.8 a.m.
§ Mr. LawsonI beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
I am sorry this has to be done at such a late hour. This Bill passed its Second Reading in this House without a Division, and when it went to another place it was felt that certain Amendments were necessary. In regard to this Amendment in particular, the outstanding thing that was in question was the liability to spontaneous combustion of these heaps which take fire and send out smoke and stench. The words inserted in the Bill in another place are a slight variation. May I take the other Amendment which deals with the question of prosecution? The Amendment is to the effect that no prosecution shall take place unless with the consent of the Minister of Health. Although I thought, and the House thought that this Bill was a small and simple Measure, giving almost a minimum of power to deal with this very grave menace to colliery areas, at this late hour I am prepared to accept these Amendments as a compromise in order to have a Bill which possibly will deal with a very serious matter in colliery areas, and one which has disturbed many people.
§ Remaining Lords Amendments agreed to.