§ Lords Amendment: Page 22, line 6, leave out "a copy," and insert "three copies."
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."—[Mr. J. Edwards.]
§ Mr. SpeakerThere are many Amendments to page 22 which seem to me to be consequential, and I think they should be taken together.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Elliot (Scottish Universities)As far as I can see, all the Amendments down to page 41 hang together. To take all the Amendments from page 22 down to those to page 41 as drafting would be quite satisfactory to us on this side.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. John Edwards)There are five Amendments here all of which deal with the same point, namely, that the valuation officer has to send three copies instead of one. That is obviously convenient to the rating authority. They are used for putting on church doors and similar places and it seems to be a suitable arrangement.
§ 10.30 p.m.
§ Colonel Wheatley (Dorset, Eastern)This requires a little comment, because, while I do not think anyone is to blame, any Member with experience of local government will wonder why this important if simple Amendment is being left to such a late stage in the progress of the Bill. It was discussed fully when Amendments were put forward at an earlier stage, but the Minister was a little stubborn about it and put up two lines of defence. First, he did not think it necessary and, secondly, he thought that the cost and staff were not necessary. I am glad that he has changed his mind and has found himself able to agree, and has brought this matter into line with the Amendment secured on Report which deleted Subsection (2), of Clause 61. The whole thing is now brought in and I think the local authorities will be very glad that the Minister has been able to accept this proposal without any difficulty.