HC Deb 01 August 1947 vol 441 cc941-2

Lords Amendment: In page 139, line 36, column 2, leave out from "twenty-one" to end of line 15 on page 140, and insert: after the words ' Local Authority,' in the second place where those words occur, there shall be inserted the words ' and the Local Planning Authority within the meaning of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947'; and after the words 'County Council', in the second place where those words occur, there shall be inserted the word 'not being the Local Planning Authority'.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

Mr. Speaker

I understand that this and the following Amendments until we get to page 150 all hang together, and that it would be for the convenience of the House if we took them all together.

Mr. C. Williams

I should be only too happy to take them together, but I think that if we are to make this concession we might have a few words from the Minister about the real meaning running through the Amendments. There seem to be a large number of Amendments and I have always been taught by hon. Gentlemen opposite to be a little suspicious of another place. I think that the right hon. Gentleman should be able to give me enough satisfaction to know that the Amendments really do hang together and that they improve the Bill.

Mr. Silkin

I should certainly like to give the hon. Gentleman every possible satisfaction—in view of his great interest in this matter. These are Amendments which have been brought to our notice by the Urban District Councils Association. They represent a variety of minor improvements in machinery. For instance, one preserves the present position whereby county district councils receive notice of any proposal to erect an overhead electric supply line. I am perfectly prepared to give the hon. Gentleman information on every one of the Amendments. They are all Amendments of that kind.

Mr. Williams

Would the right hon. Gentleman permit me to interrupt? I do not ask him to make remarks on every one of the Amendments. I have had some correspondence on the subject. I take it that these Amendments satisfy the local authority position.