§ Lords Amendment: In page 26, line 34, leave out from "after" to "producing".
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Christopher Soames)I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.
It would be convenient to discuss, at the same time, the next Amendment, in line 42, to inserting a new subsection (3). One is consequential on the other.
This Clause was discussed at some length on Report, when it was argued that the provisions for notice of entry were inadequate, particularly in relation to residential land. As I foreshadowed on Third Reading, when I had such difficulty in staying within the rules of order, Amendments have been made to the Bill so that, except in an emergency, seven days' notice will be given for entry on to residential property or on to other land with heavy equipment.
This has been agreed with all concerned. We have also inserted provisions, which were not in the Bill previously, whereby in an emergency they can enter the land without any notice. If the two provisions are added together, they make an improvement to the Bill.
§ Mr. WilleyWe congratulate the Minister on the step which he has taken, which honours an undertaking which he gave with some difficulty on Third Reading. We discussed this matter at some length on a new Clause. It is a provision which ought to be made. There was no question about entry in an emergency, but hon. Members on both sides of the House felt that if notice could be given, it ought to be given. I congratulate the Minister on having persuaded the authorities affected that this is a proper provision to insert into the Bill.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Subsequent Lords Amendment agreed to.