HC Deb 18 July 1963 vol 681 cc845-7
Mr. Corfield

I beg to move, in page 43, line 22, at the end to insert: (2) Where, either in consequence of representations made to the Minister or otherwise, it appears to the Minister that a licence under this Act granted by a river authority ought to be reviewed, but no proposals for revoking or varying the licence have been formulated by the river authority under the preceding subsection, the Minister may, as he may consider appropriate in the circumstances,—

  1. (a) direct the river authority to formulate proposals for revoking the licence, or
  2. (b) direct the river authority to formulate proposals for varying the licence in such manner as may be specified in the direction.
May we discuss at the same time the next Amendment, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, because they conveniently go together?

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

Yes, if it is for the convenience of the House.

Mr. Corfield

This is really the other half, so to speak, of the Amendments that we moved under Clause 25 to give the Minister an opportunity to initiate under Clause 25 with regard to exemption of water resources and in this case with regard to revocation of licences either on representation or for other reasons if the Minister thinks that a review is necessary which involves revocation or variation of a licence. These provisions enable that to be done.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 43, tine 24, leave out "the preceding subsection" and insert: either of the preceding subsections."—[Mr. Corfield.]

Mr. Corfield

I beg to move, in page 43, line 25, after "published", insert: in the London Gazette and". I should be grateful if we might at the same time consider, with your per- mission, Mr. Deputy-speaker, the next four Amendments with this one, because they can conveniently be taken together.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

Yes, if it is for the convenience of the House.

Mr. Corfield

The purpose of these linked Amendments is to bring the provisions of Clause 43 for giving notice of proposals by a river authority to revoke or vary a licence into line with those in Clause 28 which relate to the notice of applications for licences. Once again, there was an undertaking to bring these two sets of provisions into line, and these Amendments fulfil it.

Mr. Denis Howell

In welcoming these Amendments, I would remind the Parliamentary Secretary that in the Standing Committee in resisting the Amendments which I then tabled he suggested that Birmingham Corporation should employ Welsh-speaking clerks to look at obscure Welsh newspapers to see that they had the correct advertisements in them. I have since found that it would be impossible even in Birmingham, with its influx of Welshmen, to find sufficient Welsh-speaking people employed by the local authority. We are, therefore, greatly relieved that this burden has been removed and that we can now all read the London Gazette and sleep easily.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 43, line 26, after "newspapers", insert: (other than the London Gazette)".

In line 50, after "published", insert: (otherwise than in the London Gazette)".

In line 42, leave out from "during" to end of line 43 and insert: a period specified in the notice in accordance with the next following subsection".

In page 44, line 6, leave out subsection (4) and insert: (4) The period specified in a notice in pursuance of the last preceding subsection shall be a period beginning not earlier than the date on which the notice is first published in a newspaper other than the London Gazette, and ending not less than twenty-eight days from that date and not less than twenty-five days from the date on which the notice is published in the London Gazette; and a river authority shall not proceed with any such proposals before the end of the period so specified.—[Mr. Corfield.]

9.0 p.m.