HC Deb 10 July 1939 vol 349 cc1998-9

"Section six of the Telegraph Act, 1878 (which empowers the Postmaster-General to establish telegraphic lines on certain undertakings) shall apply to underground air-raid shelters, premises and parking places, and works connected therewith, constructed by a local authority under Part II of this Act, as it applies to the undertakings mentioned in the said Section six, and Section seven of the said Act (which makes provision as to work done in the execution of certain undertakings which involves alteration in telegraphic lines) shall apply to any work authorised or required to be done under this Act as it applies to work done in the execution of such an undertaking as is mentioned in the said Section seven."

Mr. Speaker

I have to acquaint the House that this Amendment raises a question of Privilege.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

On that point, is it not customary when privilege Amendments come from another place to italicise the words or underline them?

Sir J. Anderson

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

This is a provision inserted for the purpose of safeguarding the position of the Postmaster-General in respect of certain works controlled by him. Section 6 of the Telegraph Act, 1878, authorises the Postmaster-General to place and maintain telegraphic lines in certain positions. Part 2 of the present Bill authorises the construction of underground shelters, parking places, and other structures, and one of the objects of this new Clause is to authorise the laying of telegraph lines over or across such underground construction. Further, under Section 7 of the same Telegraph Act, provision is made for work which involves alterations in telegraph lines. The position there is that notice has to be given to the Postmaster-General of any works in pursuance of Act of Parliament involving alteration, and if the Postmaster-General replies that he will do the alterations to the cables, his charges have to be met. Works required under this Bill will not require confirmation, but the object of the new Clause is to make it clear that the Telegraph Act will apply to underground shelters. I am given to understand that it is usual to include a provision of this kind.