HC Deb 05 August 1976 vol 916 cc2274-6
Mr. John Silkin

I beg to move Amendment No. 13 in page 10, line 15, leave out 'the area of the authority' and insert 'that part of the area of the aauthority which would be affected by the order'. The intention of the amendment is to ensure that a copy of any major plan relating to an Order is deposited by the water authority in the area affected by the Order and not simply in the authority's area as a whole. In line with the provisions in the schedule, the amendment is necessary because of the considerable extent of some water authority areas, which could result in the plan being deposited some distance from the area to which it related. This proposal should also meet an Opposition point.

Amendment agreed to.

10.45 p.m.

Mr. John Silkin

I beg to move Amendment No. 17, in page 11, line 4, at end insert— 'A notice sent in a letter in pursuance of paragraph (b), (c) or (d) above shall not be treated as having been properly served unless the sender takes such steps as are for the time being required to secure that the letter is transmitted in priority to letters of other descriptions.'

The Deputy Chairman

With this we may also discuss the following amendments: No. 14, in page 10, line 33, after 'pre-paid', insert '1st Class'.

No. 15, in page 10, line 37, after 'pre-paid', insert '1st Class'.

No. 16, in page 10, line 43, after 'pre-paid', insert '1st Class'.

Mr. Silkin

I hope the Opposition will agree that the wording of our amendment is better than the wording of their amendments which are designed to achieve the same basis. The purpose is to ensure that formal notices issued by the water authority under Schedule 1 are sent by first-class letter post. The wording may strike hon. Members as being somewhat odd, but it is the result of detailed consultation with the Post Office and it reflects the fact that the first-class letter post has no long-term statutory basis.

Mr. Speed

I had a bee in my bonnet about this matter for some time and I am glad that at long last honey has resulted from the bee buzzing around. It meets the point. Second-class mail can take a considerable time. The right hon. Gentleman and his advisers have consulted the Post Office and have constructed the amendment to cover the point. I hope that in future legislation and when the occasion arises in amending existing legislation, where people have to be informed and a time limit is set, this new form of words may become standard practice.

It is important where people are being informed of their rights or the disadvantages they may suffer from authority that they should be informed as soon as possible, and this should be done by first-class and not second-class mail.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. John Silkin

I beg to move Amendment No. 19, in page 11, line 21, at end insert— 'Provided that nothing in this sub-paragraph shall authorise the Secretary of State to disregard any objection which has been duly made and not withdrawn.'

The Deputy Chairman

With this we may also discuss Amendment No. 18, in page 11, line 17, leave out sub-paragraph (2).

Mr. Silkin

To avoid any doubt whatever, the amendment reaffirms that where the Secretary of State, for reasons of urgency, dispenses with an inquiry into an application for an Order he is not absolved from the duty to consider any valid objections before reaching his decision.

Mr. Speed

I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for the amendment. We tried to secure the same result with our amendment, but the Government amendment is better.

Amendment agreed to.

Schedule 1,as amended, agreed to.

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