§ Mr. ChannonI beg to move Amend-m nit No. 77, in page 34, line 20, at end in insert:
'(except so far as the provision relates to the water undertaking of a local authority)'.I shall not rehearse the general arguments about the merits of Clause 34, save to say that it would enable the Minister to repeal not only general local government provisions in local Acts but also provisions relating to local authority water undertakings. There is no need for such a power to amend water enactments to be taken in this Bill. In many ways, it would result in anomaly if the power were used. It would put local authority undertakings in a different position from company undertakings and some of the water boards.I do not insist on the wording of the Amendment, but I hope that the point is accepted. It is put forward by an Association whose membership includes the great majority of the local authority water undertakers.
§ Mrs. WhiteWe had some entertaining discussion on the Clause in Committee, with a good deal of lawyers' reminiscence, but this particular point was not raised at that stage. The hon. Gentleman is right in saying that there would be certain anomalies as between different types of water undertaker. There is also a point which he did not raise, that under Section 33 of the Water Act, 1945, the Minister may already, on the application of any statutory water undertaker, repeal or amend any local enactment relating to the supply of water by such undertakers.
We are not entirely content with the form of the Amendment, but we should be happy to look at it. As I said earlier, my hon. and learned Friend is to meet the British Waterworks Association shortly. That might, perhaps, be an occasion to clarify this point as well.
§ Mr. ChannonIn view of the right hon. Lady's undertaking to look at the matter again, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Amendment.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.