HC Deb 09 May 1961 vol 640 cc226-72

(Recommitted)

Considered in Committee.

[Sir GORDON TOUCHE in the Chair]

The Chairman

Unless any hon. Member wishes to raise a point about the first fifteen Clauses, with the consent of the Committee I propose to put the Question, "That Clauses 1 to 15 stand part of the Bill."

3.35 p.m.

Mr. R. J. Mellish (Bermondsey)

As you know, Sir Gordon, this Bill went to a Select Committee. No doubt you read the proceedings of the Select Committee. It is a fabulous, intricate document. As a result of going to the Select Committee, Clause 2 and many others were amended. I do not want to waste time, but it would be of assistance if the Minister could tell us the effect on each Clause of the Amendments made in the Select Committee.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Christopher Soames)

There was one major Amendment made in the Select Committee, dealing with the Finsbury lands, and there are a number of consequential Amendments flowing from that decision to take the Finsbury lands out of the Bill. Those were the only Amendments made to Clauses 1 to 15 in the Select Committee and perhaps it would be for the convenience of the Committee if, as you suggest, Sir Gordon, we had a discussion on Clauses 1 to 15 to take in this major Amendment to which I have referred and all that flows from it.

Mr. Mellish

It is fair to say that only one major Amendment was made in the Select Committee. I gather that we can discuss Clauses 1 to 15, or, Sir Gordon, do you want to put the Question on each Clause separately?

The Chairman

If the Committee agrees, I will put the Question, "That Clauses 1 to 15 stand part of the Bill." If the Committee does not accept that, I will put the Question on each Clause.

Mr. Eric Fletcher (Islington, East)

Clause 2 raises special points. As the Minister recognised, Clause 2 is now substantially different from Clause 2 of the Bill as we passed it on Second Reading.

Mr. Soames

I accept that, and I was suggesting that we should have a discussion on the Question, "That Clauses 1 to 15 stand part of the Bill." Indeed, I should like to open the discussion to explain what happened upstairs. I should like to explain this major Amendment from which consequential Amendments flow.

Mr. Mellish

That is suitable. Perhaps we could hear from the Minister.

Mr. Fletcher

As a good deal of the discussion might centre round Clause 2, would it not be desirable to have the Question specifically put, "That Clause 2 stand part of the Bill."

The Chairman

That is what I am trying to find out. The Committee is entitled to have it Clause by Clause, and I will put it that way.

    cc227-8
  1. Clause 1.—(THE COVENT GARDEN MARKET AUTHORITY.) 332 words
    2. cc228-43
  2. Clause 2.—(VESTING OF MARKET LANDS.) 5,763 words
    3. cc243-6
  3. Clause 14.—(TRANSFER TO THE AUTHORITY OF LIABILITIES UNDER COMPANY'S PENSION SCHEMES, AND APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC TRUSTEE AS TRUSTEE OF CERTAIN OF THOSE SCHEMES.) 928 words
    4. cc246-71
  4. Clause 16.—(DUTY OF THE AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE MARKET AND STORAGE FACILITIES.) 9,921 words
    5. cc271-2
  5. ROYAL ASSENT 111 words