HC Deb 22 May 1991 vol 191 c1008
Mr. Chope

I beg to move amendment No. 58, in page 46, line 18, leave out from 'any' to ', and' and insert— 'damage or loss suffered by the authority in their capacity as such'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this it will be convenient to take Government amendments Nos. 59 to 61 and Nos. 97 to 100.

Mr. Chope

Again, these are amendments in response to representations made on behalf of the utilities in Committee. I hope that they will meet with the approval of the House.

Mr. Simon Coombs

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he has said. The Government have recognised the case put by the utilities that the Bill, as originally drafted, would have left undertakings in the invidious position of being liable for economic losses which would simply have been uninsurable. The amendments will limit compensation for costs reasonably incurred in making good damage to apparatus. Again, that is a most helpful move by the Government in response to the approaches made and I am grateful to my hon. Friend.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendments made: No. 59, in page 46, leave out lines 20 and 21 and insert 'expense reasonably incurred in making good damage to that apparatus'.

No. 60, in page 46, line 40, leave out 'authority' and insert 'person'.

No. 61, in page 46, line 43, leave out 'authority' and insert 'person'. —[Mr. Chope]

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