HC Deb 19 July 1949 vol 467 cc1286-7
Mr. Silkin

I beg to move, in page 4, line 34, to leave out "it is expedient so to do," and to insert: by reason of any special circumstances it is expedient so to do for securing efficient administration in the park. During the discussion in Committee there was a strong feeling that in the normal case where a national park was in the area of a number of authorities, the responsible planning authority should be a joint planning board rather than an advisory committee, which was the alternative referred to in the Bill. I hope I have made it clear that the normal position would be a joint board, and that an advisory committee would only be set up in special circumstances. It was contended that that was not clear in the Clause as it then stood, and I gave an undertaking to see if I could define more clearly what "special circumstances" were. This Amendment is the result. It provides that an advisory committee will only be set up if it is expedient so to do by reason of any special circumstances for securing the efficient administration of the park. In other words, the onus is on those wanting to set up an advisory committee to establish that that is a more efficient way of administration, and unless that can be shown then the joint board will be set up.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Silkin

I beg to move, in page 4, line 36, to leave out from "shall," to end of line, and to insert: not have effect unless and until the direction is revoked. This Amendment fulfils an undertaking which I gave in Committee that it would be possible at any time, where an advisory committee had been set up and was not working satisfactorily, to appoint a joint board in its place.

Amendment agreed to.

9.15 p.m.

Mr. Silkin

I beg to move, in page 5, line 23, to leave out "quarter," and to insert "third."

It may be convenient if we discussed this Amendment and the following Amendment together. The effect of the two Amendments is that the proportion of co-opted persons on the planning committees is increased from one-quarter to one-third but the Minister, if he find himself in difficulty in finding suitable persons to co-opt, may reduce the number to one-quarter.

Mr. Collins

I should like to take this opportunity to thank my right hon. Friend for these Amendments and for fulfilling the promise he made to my hon. Friends and myself in Committee. I should like to know from him whether, in his view, the only occasion on which the second Amendment would be used would be where it was found that there were not sufficient people of suitable quality or suitable qualifications for appointment.

Mr. Silkin

That will be the case.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 5, line 45, at end, insert: Provided that if in any particular case the Minister, with the agreement of the Commission, so determines, this subsection shall have effect as if for the words 'one third' there were substituted the words 'one quarter'."—[Mr. Silkin.]