§ Mr. BishopI beg to move Amendment No. 32, in page 27, line 12, leave out 'twelve months', and insert 'two years'.
The amendment refers to the schedule and the provisions relating to compensation. It gives a very limited period during which claims for compensation may be made.
In Committee, the Minister will recall that my hon. Friends and I tabled an amendment to extend the period from 12 months, which we thought was rather short for the preparation of all the legal aspects dealing with the making of claims, to three years. We thank the Minister for the letters that he has sent to us on this matter since Committee stage, but we feel that 12 months is a very short period.
1683 In Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis) asked whether it would be necessary only for a general notice to be given of intention to claim compensation within 12 months or whether a more specific claim should be made. In the latter case 12 months seems a short period. On second thoughts, having moved earlier that the period should be extended to three years, we feel that two years might be a compromise that the Minister can accept. We feel that if the period of notice of a claim for compensation is left at 12 months problems could be created which it would be difficult to overcome. We hope that the Minister will reply in the affirmative.
§ Mr. OnslowThe hon. Gentleman will, I hope, be glad and not too amazed to know that for once I find his advocacy as irrestible as it was brief. In Committee I threw out a hint that we might accept such an amendment. I am glad that the Opposition have taken the hint. I am happy that we can meet half way.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Bill read the Third Time and passed, with amendments.