HC Deb 28 April 1949 vol 464 cc411-6
Mr. Selwyn Lloyd (Wirral)

I beg to move, in page 7, line 28, to leave out Clause 7.

This Clause was not discussed at all in Committee, and now there appear to be exactly two minutes to discuss it here, which shows the complete farce into which these proceedings have degenerated. This Clause, which is of the greatest importance, gives the Corporation power to acquire any land and any building of any sort at any time, and to put a competitor out of business. They can acquire land or buildings and hem in anyone whom they wish to prevent trading. Yet the Government come forward with the sham argument that they wish to preserve free competition between the Corporation and their companies and others left in private enterprise. This Clause is a complete travesty of that argument. The Corporation are not a public utility. They are supposed to be a commercial under

taking. Provisions of this sort were not put into the Coal Mines Nationalisation Act or the Transport Act. Yet they are in this Bill. I wish I had more time to develop my argument.

Mr. Erroll

I beg formally to second the Amendment.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

I have only a moment or two—

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter (Kingston-upon-Thames)

Whose fault is that?

Mr. Strauss

There was such prolonged discussion on the last Opposition Amendment.

Mr. Erroll

An hour and a half.

Mr. Strauss

It is plain that the Corporation must have compulsory powers, with the Minister's consent, to enter land where necessary, for the extension of a steel works where, maybe, the landlord was holding the Corporation up to ransom.

Question put, "That the words proposed to be left out, to the second word 'any,' in line 29, stand part of the Bill."

The House divided: Ayes, 313 Noes, 154.

Division No.112.] AYES [5.30 p. m.
Acland., Sir Richard Attewell, H. C. Barnes, Rt. Hon. A. J.
Adams, Richard (Balham) Austin, H. Lewis Barstow, P. G
Albu, A. H. Awbery, S. S. Barton, C.
Allen, A. C. (Bosworth) Ayles, W. H. Battley, J. R.
Allen, Scholefield (Crewe) Ayrton Gould, Mrs. B Bechervaise, A E
Alpass, J. H. Bacon, Miss A. Benson, G.
Anderson, A. (Motherwell) Balfour, A. Berwick, F
Bing, G. H. C. Hale, Leslie Morris, Lt.-Col. H. (Sheffield, C.)
Binns, J. Hall, Rt. Hon. Glenvil Morris, P. (Swansea, W.)
Blackburn, A. R Hamilton, Lieut.-Col. R. Morrison, Rt. Hn. H. (Lewisham, E.)
Blenkinsop, A. Hannan, W. (Maryhill) Mort, D. L.
Blyton, W. R. Hardman, D. R. Moyle, A.
Boardman, H. Hardy, E. A. Murray, J. D.
Bowden, Flg. Offr. H. W. Harrison, J. Nally, W.
Braddock, Mrs. E. M. (L'pl. Exch'ge) Hastings, Dr. Somerville Naylor, T. E.
Braddock, T. (Mitcham) Haworth, J. Neal, H. (Claycross)
Bramall, E. A. Henderson, Rt. Hon. A. (Kingswinford) Nichol, Mrs. M. E. (Bradford, N.)
Brook, D. (Halifax) Herbison, Miss M. Nicholls, H. R. (Stratford)
Brooks, T. J. (Rothwell) Hicks, G. Noel-Baker, Capt. F. E. (Brantford)
Broughton, Dr. A. D. D. Hobson, C. R. Noel-Baker, Rt. Hon. P. J. (Derby)
Brown, George (Belper) Holman, P. O'Brien, T.
Brown, T. J. (Ince) Holmes, H. E. (Hemsworth) Oldfield, W. H.
Burden, T. W. Horabin, T. L. Oliver, G. H.
Burke, W. A. Houghton, A L. N. D. Orbach, M.
Callaghan, James Hoy, J. Paget, R. T.
Castle, Mrs. B. A. Hubbard, T. Paling, Will T. (Dewsbury)
Chamberlain, R. A. Hudson, J. H. (Ealing, W.) Palmer, A. M. F.
Chafer, D Hughes, Emrys (S. Ayr) Pargiter, G. A.
Chetwynd, G. R. Hughes, H. D. (W'Iverh'pton, W.) Parker, J.
Cluse, W. S Hynd, H. (Hackney, C.) Parkin, B. T.
Cobb, F. A. Hynd, J. B. (Attercliffe) Paton, Mrs. F. (Rushcliffe)
Cocks, F. S. Irving, W. J. (Tottenham, N.) Paton, J. (Norwich)
Collick, P. Isaacs, Rt. Hon. G. A. Pearson, A.
Callindridge, F. Janner, B. Pearl, T. F.
Collins, V. J. Jay, D. P. T. Perrins, W.
Colman, Miss G. M Jeger, G. (Winchester) Piratin, P.
Cook, T. F. Jeger, Dr. S. W. (St. Pancras, S.E.) Popplewell, E.
Corbel, Mrs. F. K. (Camb'well, N.W.) Jenkins, R. H. Porter, E. (Warrington)
Cove, W. G. Jones, D. T. (Hartlepool) Porter, G. (Leeds)
Crawley, A. Jones, Elwyn (Plaistow) Price, M. Philips
Crossman, R. H. S. Jones, Jack (Bolton) Pritt, D. N.
Cullen, Mrs. Jones, P. Asterley (Hitchin) Proctor, W. T.
Dagger, G. Keenan, W. Pryde, D. J.
Daines, P. Kenyon., C. Pursey, Comdr. H.
Dalton, Rt. Han. H. Key, Rt. Hon. C. W. Randall, H. E.
Davies, Edward (Burslem) King, E. M. Ranger, J
Davies, Haydn (St. Pancras, S.W.) Kinghorn, Sqn.-Ldr. E. Rankin, J.
Davies, R. J. (Westhoughton) Kinley, J. Rees-Williams, D. R.
Davies, S. O. (Merthyr) Kirkwood, Rt. Han. D. Reeves, J.
Deer, G. Lang, G. Reid, T. (Swindon)
de Freitas, Geoffrey Lavers, S. Rhodes, H.
Dobbie, W. Lawson, Rt. Hon. J. J. Ridealgh, Mrs. M.
Dodds, N. N. Lee, Miss J. (Cannock) Roberts, Goronwy (Caernarvonshire)
Donovan, T. Leonard, W. Robinson, K. (St. Pancras)
Driberg, T. E. N. Leslie, J. R. Rogers, G. H. R.
Dugdale, J. (W. Bromwich) Levy, B. W. Ross, William (Kilmarnock)
Dumpleton, C. W. Lewis, A. W. J. (Upton) Sargood, R.
Dye, S. Lewis, J. (Bolton) Scollan, T.
Edelman, M. Lewis, T. (Southampton) Scott-Elliot, W.
Edwards, John (Blackburn) Lindgren, G. S. Shackleton, E. A. A
Edwards, W. J. (Whitechapel) Lipton, Lt.-Col. M Sharp, Granville
Evans, Albert (Islington, W.) Logan, D. G. Shawcress, Rt. Hn. Sir H. (St. Helens)
Evans, E. (Lowestoft) Lyne, A. W. Shinwell, Rt. Hon. E.
Evans, John.(Ogmore) McAdam, W. Silverman, J. (Erdington)
Evans, S. N. (Wednesbury) McAllister, G. Silverman, S. S. (Nelson)
Ewart, R. McEntee, V. La T. Simmons, C J.
Fairhurst, F. McGhee, H. G Skeffington, A. M.
Farthing, W. J. MaGovern, J. Skeffington-Lodge, T. C.
Fernyhough, E. Mack, J. D. Skinnard, F. W.
Field, Capt. W. J. McKay, J. (Wallsend) Smith, C. (Colchester)
Fletcher, E G. M. (Islington, E.) Maclean, N. (Govan) Smith, Ellis (Stoke)
Follick, M. McLeavy, F Smith, H. N. (Nottingham, S.)
Forman, J. C. Mapherson, Malcolm (Stirling) Smith, S. H. (Hull, S.W.)
Fraser, T. (Hamilton) Macpherson, T. (Romford) Snow, J. W.
Freeman, J. (Watford) Mainwaring, W. H. Solley, L. J.
Ganley, Mrs. C. S Mallalieu, E. L. (Brigg) Sorensen, R. W.
Gibbins, J. Mallalieu, J. P. W. (Huddersfield) Soskice, Rt. Hon. Sir Frank
Gilzean, A. Mann, Mrs. J. Sparks, J. A.
Glanville, J. E. (Consett) Manning, C. (Camberwell, N.) Steele, T.
Gooch, E. G. Manning, Mrs. L. (Epping) Stewart, Michael (Fulham, E.)
Gordon-Walker, P. C. Marquand, Rt. Hon. H. A. Strauss, Rt. Hon. G. R. (Lambeth)
Greenwood, Rt. Hon. A. (Wakefield) &lathers, Rt. Hon. George Swingler, S
Greenwood, A. W. J. (Heywood) Mayhew, C. P. Sylvester, G. O
Grey, C. F Mellish. R. J. Symonds, A. L.
Grierson, E. Messer, F. Taylor, H. B. (Mansfield)
Griffiths, D. (Rother Valley) Middleton, Mrs. L. Taylor, R. J. (Morpeth)
Griffiths, Rt. Hon. J. (Llanelly) Mikarda, Ian Taylor, Dr. S. (Barnet)
Griffiths, W. D. (Mass Side) Millifigton, Wing-Comdr. E. R. Thomas, D. E. (Aberdare)
Guest, Dr. L. Haden Mitchison, G. R. Thomas, George (Cardiff)
Gunter, R. J. Monslow, W. Thomas, I. O. (Wrekin)
Guy, W. H. Morgan, Dr. H. B Thurtle, Ernest
Haire, John E. (Wycombe) Morley, R. Timmons, J.
Titterington, M. F. Weitzman, D. Williams, W. T (Hammersmith. S.)
Tolley, L. Wells, P. L. (Faversham) Willis, E
Tomlinson, Rt. Hon. G Wells, W. T. (Walsall) Wills, Mrs. E. A.
Turner-Samuels, M. West, D. G. Woodburn, Rt. Hon A
Vernon, Maj. W F Wheatley, Rt. Hn. J. T. (Edinb'gh, E.) Woods, G. S
Viant, S P. White, H. (Derbyshire, N.E.) Wyatt, W.
Walkden, E. Whiteley, Rt. Hon. W Yates, V. F
Walker, G. H. Wilcock, Group-Capt. C A B Young, Sir R. (Newton)
Wallace, G D. (Chislehurst) Willey, F. T. (Sunderland) Younger, Hon Kenneth
Wallace, H. W. (Walthamstow, E.) Willey, O. G. (Cleveland)
Warbey, W. N. Williams, D. J. (Neath) TELLERS FOR THE AYES:
Watkins, T. E. Williams, J. L. (Kelvingrove) Mr. Joseph Henderson and
Watson, W M. Williams, Ronald (Wigan) Mr. Wilkins.
Webb, M (Bradford, C) Williams, Rt Hon. T. (Don Valley)
NOES
Agnew, Cmdr. P. G. Harvey, Air-Comdre A. V Odey, G. W
Amory, D. Heathcoat Haughton, S G. O'Neill, Rt. Hon Sir H
Anderson, Rt. Hn. Sir J. (Scot. Univ.) Head, Brig. A. H Orr-Ewing, I. L.
Assheton, Rt. Hon. R Headlam, Lieut.-Col. Rt. Hon Sir C Peake, Rt Hon. O.
Astor, Hon. M. Henderson, John (Catheart) Peto, Brig, C. H. M
Baldwin, A. E Hinchingbrooke, Viscount Pickthorn, K.
Barlow, Sir J. Hope, Lord J. Ponsonby, Col. C E
Beamish, Maj. T. V. H Howard, Hon. A. Prior-Palmer, Brig. O
Beechman, N. A Hudson, Rt. Hon. R. S. (Southport) Ramsay, Maj. S
Birch, Nigel Hulbert, Wing-Cdr. N. J. Reed, Sir S. (Aylesbury)
Bossom, A. C. Hurd, A. Roberts, P. G. (Ecclesall)
Bower, N. Hutchison, Lt.-Cm. Clark (E'b'rgh W.) Robertson, Sir D (Streatham)
Boyd-Carpenter, J. A. Hutchison, Col. J. R. (Glasgow, C.) Robinson, Roland (Blackpool. S.)
Braithwaite, Lt.-Comdr. J. G. Jeffreys, General Sir G. Ropner, Col. L.
Bromley-Davenport, Lt.-Col. W Joynson-Hicks, Hon. L W Scott, Lord W
Brown, W. J. (Rugby) Kerr, Sir J. Graham Shephard, S (Newark)
Buchan-Hepburn, P. G. T Lambert, Hon. G. Shepherd, W S. (Bucklow)
Bullock Capt. M. Lancaster, Col. C. G Smith, E. P. (Ashford)
Butcher, H. W. Law, Rt. Hon. R. K Smithers, Sir W
Butler, Rt. Hn. R. A (S'ffen W'ld'n) Legge-Bourke, Maj. E. A. H Snadden, W. M
Carson, E. Lennox-Boyd, A. T. Spearman, A. C. M
Challen, C. Lindsay, M. (Solihull) Stoddart-Scott, Col. M
Clarke, Col. R. S Linstead, H. N. Strauss, Henry (English Universities)
Clifton-Brown, Lt.-Col, G Lipson, D. L. Studholme, H. G.
Cole, T. L. Lloyd, Selwyn (Wirral) Sutcliffe, H.
Crookshank, Capt. Rt. Hon. H F C Low, A R. W. Taylor, C S (Eastbourne)
Cuthbert, W. N. Lucas, Major Sir J. Taylor, Vice-Adm. E. A. (P'dd't'n, S.)
De la Bare, R. Lucas-Tooth, S. H. Teeling, William
Digby, Simon Wingfield Lyttelton, Rt. Hen. O Thomas, Ivor (Keightey)
Dodds-Parker, A. D. MacAndrew, Col. Sir C Thorneycroft, G. E. P. (Monmouth)
Dower, Col. A. V. G. (Penrith) McCallum, Maj. D. Thornton-Kemsley, C N
Drayson, G. B McCorquodale, Rt. Hon. M S Thorp, Brigadier R A. F
Drewe, C. McFarlane, C. S. Touche, G. C.
Dugdale, Maj. Sir T (Richmond) McKie, J. H. (Galloway) Turton, R. H.
Duthie, W. S. Maclay, Hon. J. S. Tweedsmuir, Lady
Eccles, D. M. Macmillan, Rt. Hon. Harold (Bromley) Vane, W. M. F
Eden, Rt. Hon. A. Macpherson., N. (Dumfries) Wadsworth, G.
Elliot, Lieut.-Col. Rt. Hon Walter Maitland, Comdr. J W Ward, Hon. G. R
Erroll, F. J. Marlowe, A. A. H. Webbe, Sir H. (Abbey)
Fletcher, W. (Bury) Marples, A. E. Wheatley, Col. M. J. (Dorset, E.)
Foster, J. G. (Northwich) Marshall, D. (Bodmin) White, Sir D. (Fareham)
Fraser, H. C. P. (Stone) Mellor, Sir J White, J. B (Canterbury)
Fyfe, Rt. Hon. Sir D. P. M Molson, A. H. E. Williams. C. (Torquay)
Galbraith, Cmdr. T. D. (Pollok) Moore, Lt.-Col. Sir T Williams, Gerald (Tonbridge)
Galbraith, T. G. D. (Hillhead) Morris, Hopkin (Carmarthen) Willoughby de Eresby, Lord
Gammans, L. D. Morris-Jones, Sir H. Winterton, Rt. Han. Earl
Gates, Maj. E. E. Morrison, Maj. J. G (Salisbury) York, C.
George, Maj. Rt. Hn. G. Lloyd (P'ke) Mott-Radclyffe, C. E. Young, Sir A. S. L. (Partick)
Gomme-Duncan, Cal. A Neill, Sir William (Belfast. N.)
Gridley, Sir A. Neven-Spence, Sir B TELLERS FOR THE NOES:
Harden, J. R. E. Nicholson, G. Major Conant
Hare, Hon. J H. (Woodbridge) Nield, B. (Chester) Brigadier Mackeson.
Harris, H. Wilson (Cambridge Univ) Noble, Comdr A. H P

It being after Half-past Five o'Clock, Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER proceeded, pursuant to Order, successively to put forthwith the Questions on the Amendments moved by the Government of which notice had been given to that part of the Bill to be concluded at Half-past Five o'Clock at this day's Sitting.

Amendments made: in page 7, line 29, leave out from "for," to "the," in line 30, In line 31, after "functions," insert: or the carrying on of any activity by a publicly-owned company.

In line 47, leave out "omitted," and insert: deemed not to apply to the Corporation."—[Mr. G. R. Strauss.]