HC Deb 11 May 1953 vol 515 cc1017-8
Mr. Nugent

I beg to move, in page 11, line 44, at the end, to insert: (7) Until a draft of such an order as is mentioned in subsection (1) of this section has been presented to each House of Parliament no authorisation shall be given under section one of this Act and no order shall be made under section two thereof. My right hon. Friend has agreed to make this condition that until the draft of the compensation Order has been presented to both Houses no works authorisation shall be given. This, I think, will be recognised as a very valuable safeguard to property owners, both private and public, who might be affected. Although this provision puts more strain both on my right hon. Friend and the Department, it is one which we think we can discharge in the public interest.

Mr. Edward Evans

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether that will mean any delay in the commencement of work?

Mr. Nugent

No. We are hoping that the Bill will receive the Royal Assent by the end of this month, and, when it does, the Order will be laid almost simultaneously.

Mr. Blenkinsop

We realise that there are very real difficulties in this point, and, therefore, we appreciate that the Minister has gone out of his way to meet points raised both on Second Reading and during the Committee stage. I think he agreed with us that this was a necessary protection for the House in connection with Orders which are really of very considerable importance, and perhaps of rather greater importance than many statutory Orders with which we have to deal in this House.

Amendment agreed to.