§ Mr. MurrayI beg to move Amendment No. 8, in page 5, line 6, leave out paragraph (b).
This is a straightforward Amendment. In Committee the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor), in one of his infrequent interventions—[Laughter]—criticised paragraph (b) on the ground that it would give the N.P.A. power to interfere unnecessarily in the internal arrangements which port boards will make for the running of their affairs.
After considering the points which the hon. Member raised, we have agreed that there is no need for the power contained in Clause (3)(5)(b) in relation to the composition of committees because provision can, and will, be made in devolution schemes, under Clause 2(4), for port boards to act through committees, and we feel that there is no need to restrict the port boards.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorI am grateful to the Joint Parliamentary Secretary for this concession, which, although it is not a major one, is a concession nevertheless. Although throughout these proceedings we have been opposed to nationalisation, we take the view that if it must take place the N.P.A. and boards should operate as efficiently as possible. As originally drafted, this provision went into too much detail about the committees and their membership, and we are glad that the Government have now recognised this.
§ Amendment agreed to