HC Deb 11 May 1964 vol 695 cc119-21

Lords Amendment: In page 45 line 25, leave out subsection (3) and insert: (3) For paragraph 5 of Schedule 9 to the Transport Act 1962 there shall be substituted the following paragraph:— '5.—(1) The charges made by any of the Board for the use of services or facilities provided in, or in connection with, a harbour specified in this Schedule (other than ship, passenger and goods dues, charges for the carriage of goods or passengers on any railway, charges for the use of a railway or charges in respect of railway wagons) shall be such as may be reasonable. (2) In this paragraph the expression "ship, passenger and goods dues" has the meaning assigned to it by section 55(1) of the Harbours Act 1964'; and in paragraph 6(2) of that Schedule for the words 'for which the charges are regulated by' there shall be substituted the words 'specified in'.

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

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

This Amendment is consequential on the undertaking given on Report to restore "reasonable" to most of the charges.

Mr. Mellish

Can we be assured that there is to be parity between the harbour authorities and the nationalised boards? I want to get that perfectly clear in my mind. It is sometimes very hard to follow the words of a Measure because so much legal jargon is used. Is there now no bias against the nationalised boards?

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

I had the feeling that the House thought that I was going too slowly, but I realise that I was probably going too quickly. The hon. Member has put his finger on one of the particular purposes of the Clause, because just as the new Clause "B", which was introduced by Amendment No. 47, applies this requirement of reasonableness to non-nationalised harbour authorities so this Amendment applies it to the nationalised harbour boards.

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that, in so far as it is practicable, the two groups of harbours are now put on absolutely identical lines. Although it is not really relevant to the Clause, perhaps I should say that in certain things in connection with the raising of capital and the presentation of accounts there are slight differences, because the Crown is owner of the nationalised ports, but with respect to charges it is our belief that the docks board group of ports and the remaining ports of the country are on all fours.

Question put and agreed to.

Lords Amendment: In page 45, line 46, at end insert: (5) In section 23 of the Harbours, Piers and Ferries (Scotland) Act 1937 the words 'Part III of' shall be omitted.

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

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

Although this is really a drafting Amendment it perhaps requires a moment's explanation. It ensures that there is no overlap between the provisions relating to piers and ferries in the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1908, and the new provisions, for charges at piers and ferries in Clauses 25 to 37 of the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.