HC Deb 29 April 1958 vol 587 cc319-23
Mr. Amery

I beg to move, in page 4, line 29, after "appropriate", to insert: and shall include at least one person appearing to that Minister to be specially qualified to watch over the amenities of the area in which the manœuvres are to be held". In Committee, the Opposition, in the person of the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd), put forward an Amendment designed to increase the size of the manœuvres commissions by two additional members. These were to be appointed especially to present amenity interests. We did not feel that we could accept that Amendment as it stood, but we recognised that there was a feeling on both sides of the Committee that the representation of amenity interests should be strengthened, and I undertook that we would look into this again to see whether something might not be done to meet that point of view.

This Amendment gives effect to that undertaking It specifies that a minimum of one person specially qualified to represent amenity interests shall be on the commissions. In addition, it will be remembered, another member will be nominated by the National Parks Commission, so that in England or Wales there will be a minimum of two members on each manœuvres commission who will be well versed in amenity matters. In practice, the amenity representation is likely to be even stronger, because, as the hon. Member for Norfolk, South-West (Mr. Dye) reminded us in Committee, representatives of local government will in most cases have this aspect of the matter very much in mind.

Sir F. Soskice

I thank the Minister very cordially for the change he has now proposed. Anxiety was expressed on both sides of the Committee that there should be a change on these lines, and I am sure that I speak for all hon. Members on both sides of the House in thanking the Minister for having given thought to the matter and for having made this change.

Mr. Chetwynd

As I had the pleasure of moving the appropriate Amendment in Committee. I thank the Minister for his work and for his proposal to appoint an extra representative of amenity interests to the manœuvres commissions. As I understand it, he is to be one of three put forward by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, which has wide experience, through its work with the National Trust, of consultation with amenity bodies throughout the country, and I am sure that the Ministry will appoint the right kind of people to represent local amenities. All I hope is that if and when these manœuvres are held there will be as little interference with amenity as possible.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Amery

I beg to move, in page 5, line 6 at the end to insert: and including at least one person appearing to that Secretary of State to be specially qualified to watch over the amenities of the area in which the manœuvres are to be held". The Amendment is consequential on the previous Amendment and applies to manœuvres commissions in Scotland the same arrangement which is to apply to commissions in England and Wales, and ensures that at least one member representing local authorities on the manœuvres commissions in Scotland will be well versed in amenity matters.

Amendment agreed to.