HC Deb 24 July 1961 vol 645 cc165-6

Lords Amendment: In page 3, line 40, at end insert: or (e) paragraph 32 of the Third Schedule to the Gas Act, 1948, or section sixty-eight of the Public Health Act, 1875 (which relate to pollution from gasworks),".

Mr. Temple

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

Paragraph 32 of the Third Schedule to the Gas Act, 1948, and Section 68 of the Public Health Act, 1875, both impose an absolute prohibition on the discharge of any effluent from any gas undertaking. It seems quite unrealistic that this prohibition should continue in view of the fact that river boards will have new powers to control all effluents passing into rivers and streams. Recognising that this prohibition was discriminatory, it seemed desirable to give gas undertakings protection while applications were being dealt with. This Lords Amendment is to put this situation in order.

Question put and agreed to.

Lords Amendment: In page 4, line 2, leave out "use" and insert "make proper use of".

Mr. Temple

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

It was recognised by the river boards and by the industrial interests that the words in 'the Bill as drafted, failed to use, or to repair or maintain, any purification plant were not exactly explicit enough. Therefore, it was decided that the words in this Lords Amendment "make proper use of" were very much more appropriate. This alternative wording is, I know, acceptable to the river board interests and to the industrial and local authority interests, and, I believe, will be satisfactory to this House.

Question put and agreed to.