§ Amendments made: No. 110, in line 10, leave out 506 'byelaws' and insert 'section 8 of the Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950 and sections 171 and 174 of the Highways Act 1980'.
§
No. 111, in line 10, leave out
`to amend section 163(1) of the Highways Act 1980'.
§
No. 113, in line 13, leave out from 'make' to 'and' in line 16 and insert
'corrections and minor improvements in certain enactments relating to the local administration of health and planning functions'.— [Mr. Raison.]
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Bill be now read the Third time.— [Mr. Raison.]
3.36 am§ Mr. Christopher Murphy (Welwyn and Hatfield)Before the Bill receives its Third Reading, it is right to consider what the measure is intended to achieve when it becomes law.
The basis of many of the clauses collected together under the all-embracing title is that of protecting the citizen from certain encroachments upon his freedom which may prove detrimental. The Government should be congratulated on tackling a number of important issues, which necessitate difficult choices, to achieve the essential safeguards for the individual.
At this stage of the parliamentary process it is also right to consider how the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill has developed in its passage through the House. I shall make an analysis in terms of a check list: licensing of sex shops—good; not tackling glue sniffing—not so good; more realistic closing hours for take-away food shops—good; not licensing open air festivals—not so good.
It is also to be hoped that the consultation methods necessary in achieving some of the goals will prove adequate and fair, bearing in mind the new powers that local government may now wield over entrepreneurs and the public alike.
Before wishing the Bill godspeed to another place, I urge the Minister to review what action might be taken on the outstanding local government issues that have been raised in consequence of the measure and that we continue to keep to the concept of minimum governmental interference consistent with maximum personal independence.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed.
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cc507-18
- Northern Ireland 6,253 words cc518-22
- Mr. Peter Westpfel 2,033 words