HC Deb 04 August 1947 vol 441 cc1155-6

Lords Amendment: In page 81, line 41, at end insert "or to be incurred."

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

Mr. C. Williams

This Clause deals with lime. I am not clear precisely as to the meaning of this Amendment and the following consequential Amendments. I think that possibly they deal with the running out of lime and the subsidy, an Order in connection with which we may expect in a short time—within a matter of a week or two. I rather think that these Amendments are being inserted for the purposes of protecting the subsidy. Perhaps we might have an explanation on that, and the Minister might also give us an assurance on that point. As far as I can understand these Amendments, they will ensure that there will be no gap in the granting of the lime subsidy. If that is so, I welcome these Amendments, but I think the Government ought to give us an explanation of them.

Mr. T. Williams

If the House allows this Bill to pass quickly to another place and if we get the Royal Assent on Wednesday or Thursday next, we can fix the appointed day for the lime subsidy at once, and there will be no break in its grant. Therefore, we are anxious that the Bill should go to another place very quickly, so that we can fix the appointed day this week and there will be no interference with the subsidy. These Amendments will facilitate the administration of the lime subsidy, and will enable the subsidy for the lime to be paid, and also for transport and spreading at the same time. This will save the farmer making two applications for two subsidies for one amount of lime, which I am sure hon. Members would not desire to happen.

Question put, and agreed to.

Lords Amendment: In page 82, line 2, leave out "the said Part I" and insert "Part I of that Act."

Mr. T. Williams

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

12.30 a.m.

Mr. C. Williams

The Amendment in line 2 is rather curious. It says "leave out" the said Part I and insert "Part I of that Act." I think there must be a misprint here. I think we should have the right reference in the right line.

Mr. T. Williams

The explanation is that this Amendment refers only to Part I of the Act of 1937 in connection with the land fertility and agricultural liming schemes.

Question put, and agreed to.