HC Deb 18 July 1963 vol 681 cc860-2
Sir K. Joseph

I beg to move, in page 75, line 44, at the end, to insert: (2) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, where the use for the purposes of any form of recreation of an inland water (not being a reservoir to which the preceding subsection applies) is for the time being regulated by byelaws by a river authority by virtue of subsection (3) of the last preceding section, the river authority may provide, or otherwise make available, facilities for use by persons resorting to that inland water for the purposes of that form of recreation. May we take with this Amendment those in page 76, lines 4, 8 and 15?

Mr. Deputy-Speaker (Sir W. Anstruther-Gray)

If that is the wish of the House.

Sir K. Joseph

This group of Amendments adds to the powers of the river authorities under Clause 79 to make provision for recreational facilities on reservoirs. There are a number of limitations in the new powers, and I will explain them.

First, it is necessary for the river authorities to make byelaws, and those byelaws will need Ministerial sanction. Secondly, they may not spend on the provision of recreation more than their income from the registration of boats and from such other sources, and that is a limitation upon their powers. Thirdly, they may, subject to those two limitations, enter into arrangements with entrepreneurs so as to secure the provision of recreational facilities on reservoirs.

I think these powers will be generally welcomed. I think they will be suitably safeguarded in the public interest, and I hope the House will accept these Amendments.

Mr. Wainwright

I will now come to the points that I was raising before. It appears to me that we need some clarification of the following words in the Amendment: …is for the time being regulated by byelaws made by a river authority by virtue of subsection (3) of the last preceding section, the river authority may provide, or otherwise make available, facilities for use by persons resorting to that inland waiter for the purposes of that form of recreation. Does this mean that the river authority will have total power over all who will be able to use that river for boating purposes? If that is so, it may interfere with people who wish to traverse the river by boat, and I hope the right hon. Gentleman will give us some further explanation of the words which I have read out.

Sir K. Joseph

Yes, it could conceivably give such power as the hon. Gentleman mentions but only subject to byelaws which will have been approved by the Minister. I think that is the protection.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 76, line 4, leave out "the preceding subsection" and insert: either of tile preceding subsections

In line 8, after "(1)" insert "or subsection (2)".

In line 15, at end insert: (5) The expenditure incurred by a river authority in connection with the exercise of the powers conferred on them by subsection (2) of this section shall be limited so that, taking one year with another, it will not exceed the aggregate of—

  1. (a) the amounts received by the authority in respect of the use of facilities made available under that subsection, or the letting of works constructed for the purpose of providing facilities under that subsection, and
  2. (b) the amounts so received by way of charges required by any byelaw made by virtue of subsection (3) (as extended by subsection (6)) of the last preceding section to be paid for the registration of boats for use on an inland water to which subsection (2) of this section applies.—[Sir K. Joseph.]