Clause 35 (Hansard, 13 June 1968)

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

§ Mr. Speaker
I suggest that we discuss at the same time Lords Amendments No. 24, in page 31, line 11, at end insert: ( ) to maintain the register and map prepared by them in pursuance of paragraph (a) above and to alter the register or map in such circumstances and in such manner and within such periods as may be prescribed; and No. 25, in page 31, line 14, leave out 'by' and insert "at prescribed places by members of".

§ Mr. Hoy
These three Amendments provide for additional matters which the Minister may need to prescribe in Regulations for the register and map of drainage hereditaments which each drainage board will be required to prepare and maintain for public inspection. The register will show the valuation of hereditaments for drainage rating purposes, and, in conjunction with the map, will provide the only means by which drainage ratepayers can ascertain whether they are fairly assessed in comparison with their neighbours.
The first Amendment will enable the Minister to prescribe a period within which the preparation of the register and the map must be completed. Any delay in making these documents available for inspection might inhibit ratepayers from exercising their new rights under Clauses 30 and 31 to request the drainage board to determine a revised valuation or to appeal against determinations made by the drainage board. It is necessary, therefore, to see that the registers and maps are available as soon as possible. 559 Flexibility, however, is necessary in applying time limits for the preparation of these documents and the Amendments will make this possible.
The other Amendments will enable the Minister to prescribe matters which are, possibly, equally important for ensuring that the purpose of the register and the map will be fully achieved. For instance, he will be able to prescribe the way in which any necessary alterations should be made and the place at which the register and the map should be kept for inspection by the public. I therefore hope that the House will approve these Amendments.

§ Mr. Godber
Again, I welcome these Amendments. They meet points and fears which I expressed in Committee, when I was worried because the initiative, in many cases, had to rest with the drainage ratepayer. He must have the information, therefore, if he is to be able to lodge his protest. To that extent, these Amendments go a long way to meet those worries and I am glad that they have been made. They will not be a burden on the drainage boards.