HC Deb 30 July 1951 vol 491 cc1108-9

Lords Amendment: In page 18, line 11, leave out paragraph (c).

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."—[Mr. Dalton.]

Mr. Powell

This Amendment omits a paragraph to which grave exception has been taken at all stages by hon. Members on this side. At an earlier stage this evening a one-sentence capitulation was made to many hours of barrage. The brevity on that occasion was exceeded when, with an element of disingenuousness a noble Lord speaking on this Amendment in another place said, "This is purely drafting." This is far from drafting. We have always felt it was improper that the conditions imposed on a hiring Order under the War Damage Sites Act, a very special Act dealing with conditions not comparable with those under this Bill, should be applied to hirings in pursuance of this Bill, and we are very glad to see the last of this paragraph.

Mr. Assheton

This is a very great triumph of the Opposition over the Government. I only rise to express the great regret of hon. Members on this side that so much of our time was wasted in Committee and on Report, with the Government giving way in the end.

Question put, and agreed to.