HC Deb 17 July 1973 vol 860 cc417-8

Lords Amendment: No. 18, in page 11, line 14, leave out from "desirability" to end of line 27 and insert in the interests of rationalisation, of doing either or both of the following, that is to say—

  1. (a) altering the boundaries of their area for the purposes of any functions of theirs;
  2. (b) transferring property of theirs to some other water authority.

(2) In discharging their duty to consider the desirability of altering the boundaries of their area for the purposes of any functions, a water authority shall first consider those boundaries which are different for the purposes of different functions, and in discharging their duty to consider the desirability of transferring any property, they shall first consider any property of theirs held for the purposes of any functions which is situated outside their area as constituted for the purposes of those functions.

(3) If a water authority decide that it is desirable to do either or both of the things mentioned in subsection (1) above, they shall make a recommendation to the appropriate Minister or Ministers accordingly, and the appropriate Minister or Ministers may—

  1. (a) if the water authority recommend the alteration of the boundaries of their area, make an order under section 2 above altering those boundaries in accordance with the recommendation; and
  2. (b) if the water authority recommend the transfer of any property of theirs, make an order transferring that property and any rights or liabilities of theirs in connection therewith to a water authority specified in the recommendation.

(4) A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (3)(b) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament."

Mr. Graham Page

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

It will be convenient also to discuss Amendment No. 19, in page 11, line 39, leave out "this section" and insert "subsection (4) above".

Mr. Page

The amendment does little more than redraft Clause 7. It is necessary to have some provision in the Bill for rationalisation because of the present boundaries and the different types of authority. The clause as drafted was not satisfactory. The amendment is designed to make clear the purposes of the clause, and it also limits the order-making power in the clause to the transfer of property.

Two basic steps will be necessary to achieve rationalisation: altering the boundaries between one water authority and another; and transferring property from one water authority to another.

Mr. Denis Howell

I am a little puzzled by the amendment. It deals with boundaries, but it would seem that the water authority could alter its own boundaries. Is that right? I should have thought that somebody else would be involved, and not just the authority making the alteration. That would bring in the National Water Council. Is the Minister satisfied that he has got the matter right?

Mr. Page

A water authority would not make a recommendation without fully consulting an adjoining authority. The Secretary of State would then decide the matter and the order would be made.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendments agreed to.

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