HC Deb 14 July 1954 vol 530 cc605-6

10.30 p.m.

Mr. Molson

I beg to move, in page 11, line 9, at the end, to insert: (4) In section twenty-eight of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act, 1847 (which relates to the exemption of certain vessels from harbour rates) as incorporated with any statutory provision, the expression "vessel" shall be deemed to include any such aircraft as aforesaid on the surface of the water. Under the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act, 1847, exemption from the payment of harbour rates and dues is provided for (a) in the case of Her Majesty's Service, (b) in the case of the Customs and Excise, (c) in the case of Trinity House or the Commissioners of Northern Lights, or (d) in the case of any vessel employed by or under the authority of the Postmaster-General. The present Amendment, by including aircraft, will exclude aircraft from liability to charges in cases where vessels are already exempted under the 1847 Act.

Mr. Hale

This is quite an unusual Amendment on which, I think, we ought to spend a moment or two. Personally, I hope that it is accepted, but I do not think that this matter was discussed in Committee, and the last words used by the Parliamentary Secretary about aircraft under the control of the Postmaster-General require some elucidation because most passenger aircraft now carry mail, and in large quantities.

Unfortunately, we have very few seaplanes in operation today, and I deplore that fact, because I think that the seaplane is the happiest and best mode of travel, and one which an island nation ought to have. At the same time, we are legislating for the future, and most of us hope that we shall have the seaplane services restored.

How will this Amendment affect the matter? Does it mean that seaplanes carrying mail are under the control of the Postmaster-General under the 1847 Act, or does it not? Most of the seaplane services come from the Far East, and most of the aircraft carry large quantities of mail. When the Korean war was in progress they were carrying enormous quantities. Indeed, when unfortunately one aircraft came down at that time vast quantities of letters were lost.

Does the wording of the 1847 Act exclude vessels controlled by the Postmaster-General? As I understand it, this Amendment means that a seaplane is a vessel for all the purposes of that Act. Is a seaplane carrying mail exclusively exempted? Is a seaplane carrying a substantial quantity of mail and passengers exempted, or what is the nature of the exemption given?

Mr. Molson

The hon. Gentleman must draw a distinction between a seaplane or an aircraft which is, in fact, carrying mail under contract and one which is employed by or under the authority of the Postmaster-General. Therefore, the cases to which the hon. Gentleman referred would not be included. But if it were an aircraft which was either the property of or had been chartered by the Postmaster-General and which was used exclusively for his purposes, it would then come within the provisions of this Amendment.

Amendment agreed to.