HC Deb 13 June 1939 vol 348 cc1244-5
Mr. W. S. Morrison

I beg to move, in page 52, line 35, to leave out from "utility," to the end of line 36, and to insert: undertakers who have been served with a notice under Part V of this Act. This is very little more than a drafting Amendment. The effect of it would be to give to railway companies the same powers as are given to other public utility undertakers by the Clause. It was the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) who obtained the inclusion of public utility undertakings in general in the Clause, and there seems to be no adequate reason why railway companies should not benefit to the same extent as other undertakings.

Mr. Ede

The right hon. Gentleman said that the words which it is now proposed to leave out were originally inserted as a result of an Amendment moved by me in Committee. There appears to be no valid reason for denying to railway companies the advantages conferred on other public utility undertakers, and I hope the House will agree to the Amendment. I do not know whether it will be necessary to alter the marginal note to the Clause, which reads as it was when the Clause was originally drafted, and refers only to local authorities. For convenience of reference, I think it is desirable that it should refer to public utility undertakers as well.

Mr. W. S. Morrison

I am much obliged to the hon. Member.

Amendment agreed to. Further Amendments made:

In page 52, line 39, leave out "public utility undertaking," and insert "undertakers."

In page 53,line 1,leave out from "notice," to "as "in line 2.

In line 20, leave out" public utility undertaking,"and insert" the public utility undertakers."

In line 23, after "authorities," insert "or public utility undertakers."—[Mr. W. S. Morrison,]