HC Deb 26 June 1964 vol 697 cc828-9
Mr. Hendry

I beg to move, in page 2, line 22, after "countryside" to insert (i).

I suggest that it would be for the convenience of the House to consider with this Amendment those in lines 23, 24, 39 and 42.

Mr. Speaker

If the House so pleases.

Mr. Hendry

These Amendments are in fulfilment of a number of undertakings which I gave to the Standing Committee to introduce various powers for local authorities which were suggested by hon. Members on both sides of the Committee. I think that they will improve the Bill.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 2, line 23, after "shelters", insert "public conveniences".

In line 24, at end, insert: and (ii) provide passenger ferries;". In line 39, at end, insert: picnic places" includes equipment ancillary thereto.—[Mr. Hendry.]

Mr. Hendry

I beg to move, in page 2, to leave out line 40.

I suggest that it would be for the convenience of the House to consider with this Amendment those in page 3, line 17, in page 4, line 15, in page 5, line 2, in page 10, line 34, and in page 11, line 24.

Mr. Speaker

If the House so pleases.

Mr. Hendry

The purpose of these Amendments is to give effect to suggestions made in Committee about the local authorities on whom the Bill was to confer powers. The first purpose is to add the combined county councils of Moray and Nairn and Perth and Kinross to the authorities having power under the Bill. This is a drafting provision, because when the Bill was originally drafted it was not observed that these were combined county councils and so not covered by the original drafting. This is particularly required for the financial provisions of the Bill.

The second purpose is to reflect the splitting of the Bill into three separate parts. That was not done in the original drafting, but it was found very convenient to do that after certain new Clauses had been added. I understand that the splitting of the Bill does not entail any Amendment, but is done simply by printing. However, it will greatly convenience local authorities administering the Bill.

It is proposed to leave out a number of references to district councils as such. The reason is that it has been found convenient to introduce district councils as local authorities in respect of certain parts of the Bill. The only substantive effect of all this will be to include district councils; as local authorities for the purposes of the Bill under what is now Clause 1. These provisions have been widely welcomed by local authorities generally throughout Scotland.

Amendment agreed to.