IMPLEMENTATION OF RESERVE POWERS

HC Deb 21 October 1976 vol 917 cc1720-1

Dr. J. Dickson Mabon

I beg to move Amendment No. 6 in page 3, line 5, leave out 'in regard to fuel and energy making' and insert: 'affecting fuel or electricity supplies which makes'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this we may take Amendment No. 7, in page 3, line 6, after 'energy', insert supplies'.

Dr. Mahon

We have made a number of amendments to this part of the Bill and I am pleased that Amendment No. 7 has prompted the Government to look at the text. We prefer Amendment No. 6 and hope that the Opposition prefer it also.

The Government amendment refers to "fuel or electricity supplies", which will enable us to cater for an emergency which affects electricity supplies alone. Amendment No. 6 would give us the flexibility which Amendment No. 7 would not. With modesty, I ask the Opposition not to move their amendment but to adopt Amendment No. 6.

Mr. Gray

We have no further comment to make on the amendment and are prepared to accept the Government amendment.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment made: No. 9, in page 3, leave out lines 12 to 26.—[Dr. J. Dickson Mabon.]