THAMES BARRIER AND FLOOD PREVENTION (Hansard, 17 April 1972)

§ The Chairman of Ways and Means (Sir Robert Grant-Ferris)

I beg to move, That the Committee on the Thames Barrier and Flood Prevention Bill have leave to visit and inspect the site of the proposed barrier provided that no evidence shall be taken in the course of such visit and that any party who has made an Appearance before the Committee be permitted to attend by their Counsel or Agent. Hon. Members will be aware that, although it is the practice for Committees on Private Bills in another place to make visits, in this House the practice can be adopted only with the leave of the House. I must admit that I know of no procedure for such leave being applied for, although it is within my experience, certainly as a Chairman of a Committee on Private Bills, that visits of this sort could in certain 2 circumstances have been of value to the Committees.

The Bill at present being considered by the Committe is vitally important to many of the inhabitants of London, and the cost of the scheme is estimated at £125 million. One of the duties of the Committee is to satisfy itself about the need for the scheme and the Chairman of the Committee, the hon. Member for Dorset, North (Mr. David James) has advised me that the Committee would be helped to carry out its duties by a formal visit to the site.

There are a number of petitioners against the Bill, and in hearing the submissions of the promoters and petitioners, the Committee acts in a semi-judicial capacity. In the interests of justice, it is therefore right that the parties affected by the Bill should, if they wish, be represented. If the House agrees to the Motion, I hope that other Committees will not make it a precedent for indiscriminate visits. Dangers could arise from the practice if it were indiscriminate, but in present circumstances I feel that these dangers are minimal.