HC Deb 20 October 1950 vol 478 cc2384-5
Mr. Barnes

I beg to move, in page 8, line 30, after "applies", to insert: (other than a diversion to which the Minister on whose behalf the works are to be executed consents).

This Amendment, which concerns the problem of the lateral movement of oil pipes, goes as far as the Government are able to go in meeting the points raised during the Committee stage. It is not necessary for me to stress the importance of the Defence aspect. There was, no doubt, anxiety that the needs and requirements of dock and harbour authorities and similar bodies might be unreasonably affected. This point has again been reconsidered, and we are putting forward an Amendment which enables that to be done provided the Minister of Fuel and Power, who carries the responsibility for the decision, agrees. My own Department, for instance, is the parent Department in docks and harbours, and in view of this Amendment consultations are bound to take place between the Departments. We are satisfied that we have met this in the only practical way that we could.

Mr. Hay

This Amendment has been put forward to enable the right hon. Gentleman to meet a point which was raised by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for City of Chester (Mr. Nield) and myself, and we are very gateful to him for considering it. I do not wish to make heavy weather of the matter, but there is one point I should like to mention. Is the Minister satisfied that this Amendment gives an adequate safeguard against any unreasonable insistence on maintaining a proposed oil pipe line to the detriment of the possible extension of a dock?

The right hon. Gentleman has referred to the Defence aspect, and I must draw his attention to the fact that there is also a Defence aspect to be considered in relation to docks. We would have preferred to see our Amendment accepted, but as the Minister has been so generous we do not wish to embarrass him in any way.

Mr. Barnes

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power assures me that he would always consider sympathetically any matter of that kind.

Amendment agreed to.