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Lords Amendment: No. 13, in page 17, line 1, leave out from "authorisation" to end of line 2 and insert:
, the design and capacity of the pipe-line or of part of it and the steps to be taken to avoid or reduce interference by the pipe-line with fishing or with other activities connected with the sea or the sea bed or subsoil;".
§ Mr. John SmithI beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.
The amendment redeems a pledge given to the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) in Committee and on Third Reading. It makes manifest our intention that full consideration shall be given to fishing and other relevant interests in the planning and construction of pipelines. We recognise, as I believe the oil industry does, that, important commodity as oil is, its extraction must not be conducted without due regard to those who have traditionally earned their livelihood from, or exercised rights in, the sea, and, particularly in the case of fishing, performing a valuable service for the community.
§ Question put and agreed to.