HC Deb 04 July 1957 vol 572 cc1450-1
Mr. Renton

I beg to move, in page 18, line 16, to leave out "by arbitration" and insert: in the manner provided by section nine of this Act". This is the only Schedule which was originally in the Bill, described on the Notice Paper as being the Schedule, but which, I now understand, has become the First Schedule. Those hon. Members who were on the Committee will recollect that I expressed the great doubt which I felt myself about the advisability of having arbitration as a method of deciding such disputes as might arise on the Schedule. I should point out that the Schedule was taken practically wholesale from the War Damage Act, which happened to provide for arbitration in deciding these disputes about depreciation.

Arbitration seems to me to be an inappropriate method of procedure in the context of this Bill, and it would be much better to have one form of proceedings before the county court, especially for people living in ordinary houses which may be damaged, or in small farmhouses and so on. We have, therefore, given the matter further thought and suggest that we ought to add these words.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Renton

I beg to move, in page 18, line 18, to leave out from "that" to "may" in line 19 and to insert: a rating unit and property not included in any rating unit", The First Schedule at present provides that farm buildings which are rated, and other farm buildings and agricultural land which are not rated, shall be treated as one unit for the purpose of assessing the value payment which is agreed or determined as equitable in all the circumstances of the case. The Amendment provides that this shall apply generally to any rated unit and to any property not included in a rated unit, of which various kinds were mentioned in Committee.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Renton

I beg to move, in page 18, line 30, to leave out sub-paragraph (2).

This Amendment is consequential upon an Amendment made earlier to the interpretation Clause, Clause 13.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Renton

I beg to move, in page 21, to leave out lines 29 to 32.

This Amendment is consequential upon the last Amendment but two.

Amendment agreed to.

Bill to be read the Third time Tomorrow.