KENT WATER BILL (Hansard, 19 July 1955)

§ The Chairman of Ways and Means (Sir Charles MacAndrew)

I have to draw the attention of the House to the large number of Amendments made in another place to the Kent Water Bill. This number is explained by the fact that the opposition to the Bill in this House was directed to the Preamble of the Bill, and that points on Clauses were left over for consideration in the second House. I am advised, however, that the Amendments made in another place are substantially concerned with drafting and consequential matters and that no point of principle appears to arise.

In view of the number of Amendments, I have given a direction to the promoters under Standing Order 186, that the Amendments should be printed and made available to hon. Members in the Vote Office. If any hon. Member wishes to raise any particular point on any of these Amendments, I shall endeavour to satisfy him.

§ Mr. Hayman

I do not object to the Lords Amendments, but I feel that they should not pass without some comment. The Bill was before a Select Committee of this House from 18th May, 1955, until 7th July, 1955, and the Committee sat on twenty-three occasions. The Third Reading in another place took place last Thursday. The debate lasted for an hour and nine minutes, including a Division.

These Lords Amendments cover seventeen pages. There are 278 of them 180 and nine new Clauses. I think I am correct in saying that the first time the notice appeared on the Notice Paper was yesterday. The original Bill contains eighty-seven pages, with twenty-eight pages of additions. It seems to me that two days affords very little time for hon. Members of this House to check the Amendments, and I hope that in future some amendment of Standing Orders may be made to allow us a little more time, if that be required.