HC Deb 24 May 1939 vol 347 cc2373-5

6.35 p.m.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

I beg to move, in page 39, line 34, to leave out "supply of."

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

We propose to accept all the Amendments on the Paper to this Clause, with the exception of that standing in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Withington (Mr. Fleming).

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made:

In page 39, line 35, leave out "a reservoir," and insert "water contained in. a reservoir or other works."—[Mr. R. C. Morrison.]

In line 35, leave out "water," and insert "public utility."—[Mr. Ross Taylor.]

In page 40, line 16, leave out "and," and insert: or preparatory measures are then being taken for the carrying out thereof and (in each case)."—[Sir J. Anderson.]

6.37 p.m.

Mr. Fleming

I beg to move, in page 41, line 26, to leave out from "apply," to the end of line 28.

This deals with the paragraph concerning the taking of the subsoil where the surface is not also purchased. As the Clause stands, wherever the surface land is taken for the purpose of water supply, payment has to be made for surface land, but where the subsoil only is taken, no payment is made. In cases where the subsoil is taken it would mean that if the owner of the surface wanted to put up certain additions to his buildings, he would have no subsoil for his foundation, and on that ground I suggest that the owner should be paid for his loss of rights in the same way as the owner of the surface.

6.38 p.m.

Mr. W. S. Morrison

My hon. Friend is trying to amend Sub-section (7) which applies the water proposals which are the subject matter of the Clause to the provisions of the old Clause 7 dealing with underground works. That Clause has been withdrawn and a new Clause 7 is to be considered. It will, therefore, be necessary on Report to get rid of this Sub-section (7) as it now stands and to apply to these water schemes the relevant parts of the new Clause 7.

Mr. Fleming

In view of that assurance that this matter will be dealt with in the new Clause 7, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

6.40 p.m.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

I beg to move, in page 41, line 28, at the end, to add: (8) The Minister shall not approve any scheme under this Section unless it contains such provisions as he considers necessary for preventing—

  1. (a) the contamination of any water supplied by water undertakers; and
  2. (b) the use for domestic purposes of any water conveyed in any main or pipe laid under the scheme."
This Amendment is designed to guard against the double risks of contamination of water and the use for domestic purposes of water which may be excellent for extinguishing fires, but would be unsuitable for any other purpose.

Mr. W. S. Morrison

We think this Amendment is a good one, and we accept it.

Amendment agreed to.

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

Mr. Ammon

I would like to know whether the proposed new Clause 7 will have any effect on this Clause?

Sir J. Anderson

We propose on Report to bring up whatever Amendments may be necessary to bring this Clause into line with Clause 7 in its new form.