HC Deb 09 July 1959 vol 608 cc1726-7
Mr. Deputy-Speaker

I understand that the next three Amendments are uncontroversial. If that is so, perhaps I might put them in bulk.

Mr. MacColl

I think that the Amendment in page 38, line 9. is an addition to the Bill. Might we have some explanation of it from the Minister?

Lords Amendment: In page 38, line 9, leave out from beginning to "may" in line 16 and insert: Any reference in this Part of this Act to an enactment whereby a power is conferred on an authority to whom this Part of this Act applies, or on a class of such authorities—

  1. (a) shall be taken to include any enactment whereby the power in question is conferred on local authorities generally, or on a class of local authorities which includes a class of authorities to whom this Part of this Act applies, or is conferred on a class of authorities to whom this Part of this Act applies together with any other class of local authorities, but
  2. (b) shall not be taken to include any enactment whereby (without particular reference to local authorities, or to bodies of any description specified in the Fourth Schedule to this Act a power is conferred generally on persons of a description specified in the enactment, notwithstanding that one or more authorities to whom this Part of this Act applies".

Mr. H. Brooke

I beg to move. That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

These Amendments arise from a recent decision of the High Court. Right of appeal under Clause 27 is given, as the Bill stands, to persons aggrieved, but the effect of the High Court decision is that planning authorities are concerned only when financially affected. That is thought to be too narrow. Other parties are considered to be deserving of the same right, and the sole purpose of these Amendments is to establish that they get that right.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendments agreed to.