§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonI beg to move Amendment No. 40, in page 26, line 25, leave out from 'Act' to end of line 29.
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerWith this amendment we may take Government Amendments No. 46, 48 and 49.
§ Dr. MabonAmendment No. 40 is a paving amendment. Amendments No. 46 and 48 are the important amendments in the group. They are technical amendments providing that orders under Sections 2 and 4(3) of the Fuel and Electricity (Control) Act shall be treated as though they had been made under the corresponding provision of the Bill. The amendments remove uncertainty as to what offences may be committed.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Amendments made: No. 41, in page 26, leave out lines 31 to 38.—[Dr. J. Dickson Mahon.]
§ No. 42, in page 26, leave out lines 39 and 40;
§ No. 43, in page 26, leave out lines 43 to 45.—[Dr. John A. Cunningham.]
§ No. 44, in page 26, leave out lines 49 to 51;
§ No. 45, in page 26, line 51, at end insert—
| 'S.I. | 1976/1204 | The Paraffin (Maximum (Retail Prices) Order 1976.'—[Dr. J. Dickson Mabon.] |
§ Mr. GrayMay we have your guidance, Mr. Deputy Speaker? A number of my hon. Friends wish to take part in the debate on Amendment No. 47. If we start that debate before 7 o'clock will it automatically be interrupted at that hour? If so, shall we be able to continue at that point later?
§ Mr. Deputy SpeakerThe business will be interrupted at 7 o'clock.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonWe shall oppose Amendment No. 47. If a vote is wanted I think we should have it now.
§
Amendment made: No. 46, in page 26, line 51, at end insert—
'The above orders are to be treated for the purposes of this Act as if they had been made under section 1(1) or (as the case may be) section 1(2) of this Act, and references in this Act to powers and orders under it and similar references, are to be construed accordingly where the context permits.'.—[Dr. J Dickson Mabon.]
§ Mr. Norman Fowler (Sutton, Coldfield)I beg to move Amendment No. 47, in page 27, line 1, leave out lines 1 to 4.
We wish to have an exploratory debate about the Government's position on an issue which causes concern to the public—that of the temporary speed limits and the Government's powers. My case is simple. It is that the present 50 mph and 60 mph limits should be scrapped. The temporary speed limits were introduced as a fuel economy measure in December 1974 and were renewed in December 1975.
Incidentally, I very much welcome the presence on the Government Front Bench of the Under-Secretary of State for Transport. As this is the first time I have spoken since he was appointed to his new job, may I congratulate him on taking up his post at the new Department of Transport, and wish him a successful and brief stay in that job?
The Act under which the limits were imposed has led to some misunderstanding among the public. As I understand the Act, it enables the Government to continue to use the power to impose speed limits on fuel economy grounds. What it does not do is automatically to renew the 50 and 60 m.p.h. limits which are now in operation. As concern has been expressed by the motoring organisations, it would be a good idea if the Minister would confirm the situation—
§ It being Seven o'clock, and there being Private Business set down by The CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS, under Standing Order No. 7 (Time for taking Private Business), further Proceeding stood postponed.