HC Deb 21 July 1961 vol 644 cc1648-50

Lords Amendment: In page 9, line 16, to leave out from "by" to end of line and insert or allowed to him under this section".

Mr. Vane

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

This Amendment is designed to clarify one point. In the Bill we provide that owners in certain circumstances can collect the drainage charges from occupiers on behalf of the Authority, in which case they would be allowed the 10 per cent. allowance, which is usual under such procedures. The Amendment makes it clear that if they do so they are entitled to collect the full amount from the occupier. We were told that the wording gave rise to some doubt.

Mr. Frederick Peart (Workington)

We accept this Amendment and recognise that the owners should be able to collect the full amount of the drainage charge from the occupier. We think that this is a sensible provision and have no wish to delay it.

Question put and agreed to. [Special Entry.]

Lords Amendment: In line 27, at end insert: (5) A river board shall send a copy of any notice served on them under subsection (4) of this section to the owner of the hereditament to which the notice relates.

Mr. Vane

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

During our earlier discussions we simplified the procedure as far we could for the assessment and collection of drainage charges. It can happen that in certain circumstances an occupier is allowed an option. He can opt out and opt in again by this simple procedure. This Amendment provides that where that option is taken advantage of the river board shall send a copy of the notice to the owner so that he shall know exactly where he stands.

Mr. Peart

As the Parliamentary Secretary said, we had some discussion on this earlier. It was agreed that we should have a simplification of the present arrangements. We accept that this Amendment will enable more flexibility, that the occupier has an option which is satisfactory and the river board should send a copy of the arrangements which have been made.

Question put and agreed to. [Special Entry.]