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Lords Amendment: In page 40, line 42, at beginning insert:
() As regards any matter affecting fire risks the local authority, if they are the fire authority, shall have the like rights in relation to the inspection of premises under section twenty-seven of this Act on any application for the renewal of a registration certificate for the premises as they have in the case of an application for the issue of a certificate.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.
Perhaps it would be convenient to discuss with this Amendment those in line 44, after "issue" to insert "or renewal", and in line 45, to leave out from "premises" to the end of line 3 on page 41.
§ Mr. Deputy-SpeakerYes.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThese Amendments were tabled by the Government in another place in response to a suggestion by the hon. Member for Islington, East (Mr. Fletcher) to which I undertook to give consideration before the Bill was considered in another place. Although we all wish to see inspection of club premises limited as far as possible, the hon. Gentleman argued, and I conceded, that there might well be a special case for inspection by a fire authority, particularly in view of the very serious disaster which took place not long ago, and that the fire authority should be given power to inspect club premises, not only on the initial application for registration, but on any renewal. On thinking the matter over, we were convinced that the point made by the hon. Member was valid and potent. The Amendment gives effect to it.
§ Mr. FletcherAgain, I acknowledge with gratitude the fact that the Government have adopted suggestions that we thought would be of advantage.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Subsequent Lords Amendments agreed to.