HC Deb 24 May 1949 vol 465 cc1220-2

Lords Amendment: In page 19, line 8, leave out "and."

Mr. Bevan

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

This Amendment and the next are consequential.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

I am certainly tempted to ask for some further explanation from the Minister, as he is in a very good vein tonight. He assures us that these Amendments are purely consequential and will not offer a peg on which to hang one of his most brilliant orations; otherwise, we should let him have another of these delightful outbursts.

Mr. Bevan

The territory is so narrow, I fear I could not stand upon it for very long.

Lords Amendment: In line 18, at end insert: (3B) An approval, reduction or increase under this section may be limited to rent payable in respect of a particular period"; and for subsection (4) there shall be substituted the following subsection:— '(4) The Tribunal shall keep a register and shall cause to be entered therein with regard to any contract under which a rent is payable that has been approved, reduced or increased under this section,—

  1. (a) the prescribed particulars with regard to the contract, including a specification of the premises to which the contract relates, and the rent, as approved, reduced or increased under this section, and
  2. (b) in a case in which the approval, reduction or increase is limited to rent payable in respect of a particular period, a specification of that period.
The Tribunal shall make the register available for inspection in such place or places and in such manner as the Secretary of State may direct.'

Mr. Bevan

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

This also is consequential.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

There is a word used here which is very serious. The Amendment speaks of rent being "reduced or increased under this section." The very suggestion that an increase of rent should take place at any point is so revolutionary that perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would like to give us a few words in explanation.

Lords Amendment: In page 19, line 18, at the end insert: Section three In subsection (1), after the words such entry there shall be inserted the words (or in a case in which a particular period is specified, in respect of that period).

Mr. Bevan

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

This is consequential.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

Before the voices are collected on this Amendment, perhaps we can be told what this is about.

Mr. C. Williams

As the Government do not seem to know what it is about, perhaps it would be as well if I gave them some time to consider it while I say what I think it is about. It is quite likely that I shall be wrong, and the Government will then be able to correct me. I think the line at the end of the Section is not absolutely a drafting Amendment, and it is hardly consequential. It states: Section three. In subsection (1), after the words 'such entry' there shall be inserted the words '(or in a case in which a particular period is specified, in respect of that period)'. I want to know something about the time of making that period. This is an Amendment which I think is necessary. I took a little trouble this morning to read it, and I am hoping that it is all right. Before we leave this Bill, I would like to say that this is another case in which another place has improved a not-very-improvable Bill. But may we be given an explanation of this matter, which I think is not quite as simple as it appeared at first sight?

Mr. Speaker

The Question is "That this House"——

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

The Minister, I think, was about to reply, Mr. Speaker. In fact, I am sure that he was. I think that the Minister was about to reply on the previous Amendment, but he was rather slow in rising, and so the Amendment got through. I am sure that this time he is anxious to speak.

Mr. J. J. Robertson

I have to say that this is consequential upon the Amendment which we have just passed.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

rose—

Mr. Speaker

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman has exhausted his right to speak. He can speak again only by leave of the House.

Hon. Members

No.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

Leave to speak again was not withheld from the Minister.

Mr. Speaker

If the House does not agree, the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, cannot do it.

Remaining Lords Amendments agreed to.

Committee appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to certain of their Amendments to the Bill; Mr. Bevan, Mr. Bing, Lieut.-Colonel Elliot, Mr. Hare and Mr. Hastings; Three to be the Quorum.—[Mr. Bevan.]—To withdraw immediately.

Reasons for disagreeing to certain of the Lords Amendments reported, and agreed to:—To be communicated to the Lords.