HC Deb 17 July 1963 vol 681 cc677-80

Lords Amendment: In page 83, line 37, at end insert: (1A) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph, solid fuel made up in containers in the quantity of one and a quarter hundred-weight shall be carried on a road vehicle on a highway for sale or for delivery after sale only if all solid fuel carried on the vehicle which is made up in containers is so made up in that quantity; and if this sub-paragraph is contravened the seller shall be guilty of an offence.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

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

Perhaps it would be convenient to take with this Lords Amendment the Lords Amendments in page 83, line 38; in page 84, line 1; and in page 85, line 46. They are consequential.

These Amendments extend to hawkers' vehicles the requirement which applies to delivery vehicles of other coal merchants, that solid fuel may be carried in 1¼ cwt. sacks only if all the sacks on the vehicle are made up in that particular quantity. When the Bill left us for another place this requirement did not apply to sales under 2 cwts., and this is why it became necessary to make this Amendment in another place, in order to cover the normal hawker's vehicle. I trust the House will accept the Lords Amendment.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendment agreed to.

Lords Amendment: In page 84, line 22, at end insert: and (c) for prescribing penalties not exceeding twenty pounds for any offence under such byelaws.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

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

This Amendment increases the maximum penalties under local authority byelaws relating to solid fuel which are issued under paragraph 5 of the Sixth Schedule. The present maximum is £5. It seems reasonable to bring it up to £20 and thus bring it into line with the penalties provided by Clause 52(1). This is an Amendment moved by Opposition Peers in another place and accepted by the Government there,

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendment agreed to.

Lords Amendment: In page 87, line 25, leave out "loading" and insert "weighing",

Mr. Denzil Freeth

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

This Amendment relates to the document which is required by paragraph 16 of the Sixth Schedule to be attached to railway wagons carrying solid fuel. The Amendment requires the date of weighing to be included in the particulars in this document instead of the date of loading. That seems more satisfactory and I hope that the House will accept the Amendment.

Question put and agreed to.

Lords Amendment: In page 89, line 23, at beginning insert: Subject to paragraph 3 of this Part of this Schedule.

Mr. D. Price

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

It may be convenient to consider with this Amendment the following Amendment, in line 33, which is consequential.

These Amendments will allow liquid fuel to be sold by volume as well as by weight or capacity measurement. Certain fuel gases in liquid form, such as liquid oxygen sold as fuel for rocket projects, are customarily sold by volume, that is to say, by cubic feet. It is convenient and useful for buyers that they should continue to be sold in this way. The Amendment permits this subject to certain conditions. The volume for this purpose is not the amount of liquid, but the amount of gas which will be emitted under stated conditions of temperature and atmospheric pressure.

Question put and agreed to.

Remaining Lords Amendments agreed to.