§ Order for Second Reading read.
7.38 pm§ Sir Michael Shaw (Scarborough)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
This Bill has been promoted by the Scarborough borough council. The House will recollect that the Local Government Act 1972 provided that, with certain exceptions, local legislation promoted by local authorities prior to reorganisation should cease. By subsequent order, the cessation date for such legislation in non-metropolitan areas is 1986. The purpose of the Bill is to continue the authority and power which the corporation has always had to continue it into the future.
The Bill relates entirely to cliff railways or lifts at Scarborough and Whitby. The Whitby lift is at present operated under statutory provision under the Whitby Order 1914. The Scarborough railways are at present operated under section 24 of the Scarborough Corporation Act 1925. The Bill continues legal powers for the lift and the railways. It does this by express enactment. The Bill does not authorise the construction of new lifts or railways.
These lifts and railways are important both to Scarborough and to Whitby since much of their trade is based on tourism and both towns have steep cliffs leading down to the beach. These lifts are, of course, of great assistance to visitors to the two towns. In addition, the Scarborough railway forms a vital link between the town, the conference hotels and the spa, which has recently been refurbished at a cost of well over £5 million.
No petitions have been deposited against the Bill and I hope that it will be approved by the House.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Neil Macfarlane)We have no objection to the Bill. I hope that the House will give it a Second Reading and permit it to go into Committee as quickly as possible.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed.