§ .—(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, Transport for London may provide or secure the provision of such amenities and facilities as it considers would benefit persons using any waterway.
§ (2) Before commencing any works for the purposes of exercising the powers under subsection (1) above, Transport for London shall—
- (a) comply with any requirement in an enactment to obtain a licence or consent in respect of the works, or
- (b) if there is no such requirement, obtain the consent to the works of any person who is under a duty to maintain the waterway to which they relate.")
§ Mr. HillThis group of amendments deals with rivers and waterways. Lords amendment No. 354 gives Transport for London power to provide amenities and facilities on the Thames and other waterways in London. Lords amendment No. 355 transfers responsibility for the 770 operation of the Woolwich ferry. Lords amendment No. 356 ensures that there is no doubt about the validity of transfers of property, rights and liabilities that are transferred to London Regional Transport between 31 March 1999 and the coming into force of this clause, or that are subject to transfer agreements made during that period. Lords amendment No. 697 provides Transport for London with a power to make byelaws about piers that it owns or operates.
There was considerable debate in another place on some of the amendments in this group. In the light of concerns expressed by the Port of London authority and British Waterways, the clauses were further amended in another place. Therefore, Lords amendment No. 354 clarifies that Transport for London must obtain any necessary consents or licences before commencing works on waterway amenities or facilities, and Lords amendment No. 697 ensures that TfL byelaws for landing places do not conflict or interfere with certain byelaws made by the Port of London authority.
Tourism and the river have been a subject of concern to Members in both Houses. The Government, of course, recognise the importance of tourism to river services. However, we have taken note of the concerns that have been expressed by hon. Members in this and the other place on behalf of a particular operator.
The Government's proposals for the mayor and TfL envisage an integrated approach to the use of the river, which is not limited purely to public passenger transport. The mayor will be responsible for promoting both public transport and tourism. Ahead of the provisions coming into effect, the Government expect London River Services—as a predecessor body to TfL—to work in a similar manner. We have every confidence that it is doing just that. The Government have listened to the concerns that have been expressed—which is why my noble Friend Lord Whitty recently undertook that we would write to the chairman of London River Services to reiterate the point. We shall be doing so shortly.
I hope that that further explanation will reassure hon. Members that the interests of tourism on the river are fully recognised in the Bill's provisions and in the interim period before TfL is established.
§ Mr. BrookeThe alliance to which the Minister referred consists of the hon. Members for Upminster (Mr. Darvill), for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) and me. We discussed the matter in Committee, but did so before some of the developments had occurred. There is no possibility that I shall be able today to do justice to the subject, and I can only plead—through you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and given the fact that it is an all-party coalition—that Madam Speaker might be prepared to contemplate granting an Adjournment debate on the subject early in the next Session.
The Minister—whom I acknowledge knows about the issues—said that Lord Whitty will be writing to the chairman of London River Services. Although that calmed nerves in their Lordships' House, I should myself feel much better if he included in the letter an expectation, first, that London River Services will appoint a director with experience of and responsibility for tourism, and secondly, that an independent study will be made of the current impact of the introduction of transport services on current tourism services, so that both perspectives could be understood and viewed in a more balanced manner.
§ 8 pm
§ Mr. HillI take note of the right hon. Gentleman's observations, and look forward to further exchanges in the Chamber on that subject.
§ It being Eight o'clock, MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER put the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to the Order this day.
§ Lords amendment agreed to.
§ MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER then put the remaining Questions required to be put at that hour.
§ Lords amendments No. 419 and Government amendment (a) thereto and No. 793 and Government amendments (a) to (f) thereto agreed to.
§ Question put, That this House agrees with the Lords in the remaining Lords amendments:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 347, Noes 133.
774| Division No. 299] | [8.2 pm |
| AYES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Casale, Roger |
| Ainger, Nick | Caton, Martin |
| Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) | Chaytor, David |
| Alexander, Douglas | Chidgey, David |
| Allan, Richard | Clapham, Michael |
| Allen, Graham | Clark, Rt Hon Dr David (S Shields) |
| Armstrong, Rt Hon Ms Hilary | Clark, Dr Lynda (Edinburgh Pentlands) |
| Ashton, Joe | |
| Atherton, Ms Candy | Clark, Paul (Gillingham) |
| Atkins, Charlotte | Clarke, Charles (Norwich S) |
| Austin, John | Clarke, Eric (Midlothian) |
| Barnes, Harry | Clarke, Rt Hon Tom (Coatbridge) |
| Barron, Kevin | Clarke, Tony (Northampton S) |
| Bayley, Hugh | Clelland, David |
| Beard, Nigel | Clwyd, Ann |
| Beckett, Rt Hon Mrs Margaret | Coaker, Vernon |
| Bell, Martin (Tatton) | Coffey, Ms Ann |
| Bell, Stuart (Middlesbrough) | Cohen, Harry |
| Benn, Hilary (Leeds C) | Coleman, Iain |
| Benn, Rt Hon Tony (Chesterfield) | Connarty, Michael |
| Bennett, Andrew F | Cook, Frank (Stockton N) |
| Bermingham, Gerald | Cooper, Yvette |
| Berry, Roger | Corbett, Robin |
| Betts, Clive | Corbyn, Jeremy |
| Blears, Ms Hazel | Corston, Jean |
| Blizzard, Bob | Cotter, Brian |
| Boateng, Rt Hon Paul | Cousins, Jim |
| Borrow, David | Cox, Tom |
| Bradley, Keith (Withington) | Cranston, Ross |
| Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin) | Cryer, Mrs Ann (Keighley) |
| Brake, Tom | Cryer, John (Hornchurch) |
| Brand, Dr Peter | Cummings, John |
| Breed, Colin | Cunliffe, Lawrence |
| Brinton, Mrs Helen | Cunningham, Jim (Cov'try S) |
| Brown, Rt Hon Nick (Newcastle E) | Curtis-Thomas, Mrs Claire |
| Brown, Russell (Dumfries) | Dalyell, Tam |
| Browne, Desmond | Darvill, Keith |
| Buck, Ms Karen | Davey, Edward (Kingston) |
| Burden, Richard | Davey, Valerie (Bristol W) |
| Burgon, Colin | Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) |
| Burstow, Paul | Davies, Geraint (Croydon C) |
| Butler, Mrs Christine | Davis, Terry (B'ham Hodge H) |
| Byers, Rt Hon Stephen | Dean, Mrs Janet |
| Cable, Dr Vincent | Denham, John |
| Campbell, Alan (Tynemouth) | Dobbin, Jim |
| Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) | Donohoe, Brian H |
| Campbell, Rt Hon Menzies (NE Fife) | Doran, Frank |
| Dowd, Jim | |
| Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) | Drew, David |
| Campbell-Savours, Dale | Eagle, Angela (Wallasey) |
| Caplin, Ivor | Edwards, Huw |
| Ellman, Mrs Louise | Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald |
| Etherington, Bill | Keeble, Ms Sally |
| Fearn, Ronnie | Keen, Alan (Feltham & Heston) |
| Field, Rt Hon Frank | Keetch, Paul |
| Fisher, Mark | Kelly, Ms Ruth |
| Fizpatrick, Jim | Kemp, Fraser |
| Fitzsimons, Lorna | Kennedy, Jane (Wavertree) |
| Flint, Caroline | Khabra, Piara S |
| Flynn, Paul | Kidney, David |
| Follett, Barbara | Kilfoyle, Peter |
| Foster, Rt Hon Derek | King, Andy (Rugby & Kenilworth) |
| Foster, Don (Bath) | King, Ms Oona (Bethnal Green) |
| Foster, Michael Jabez (Hastings) | Kirkwood, Archy |
| Foster, Michael J (Worcester) | Kumar, Dr Ashok |
| Fyfe, Maria | Ladyman, Dr Stephen |
| Gapes, Mike | Lawrence, Ms Jackie |
| Gardiner, Barry | Laxton, Bob |
| George, Bruce (Walsall S) | Leslie, Christopher |
| Gerard, Neil | Levitt, Tom |
| Gibson, Dr Ian | Lewis, Ivan (Bury S) |
| Gilroy, Mrs Linda | Linton, Martin |
| Godman, Dr Norman A | Lloyd, Tony (Manchester C) |
| Godsiff, Roger | Llwyd, Elfyn |
| Goggins, Paul | Lock, David |
| Golding, Mrs Llin | McAvoy, Thomas |
| Gordon, Mrs Eileen | McCabe, Steve |
| Griffiths, Jane (Reading E) | McCartney, Rt Hon Ian (Makerfield) |
| Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) | |
| Grocott, Bruce | McDonagh, Siobhain |
| Grogan, John | Macdonald, Calum |
| Gunnell, John | McDonnell, John |
| Hain, Peter | McIsaac, Shona |
| Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale) | McKenna, Mrs Rosemary |
| Hall, Patrick (Bedford) | Mackinlay, Andrew |
| Hamilton, Fabian (Leeds NE) | Maclennan, Rt Hon Robert |
| Hancock, Mike | McNulty, Tony |
| Heal, Mrs Sylvia | Mactaggart Fiona |
| Healey, John | McWalter, Tony |
| Heath, David (Somerton & Frome) | McWilliam, John |
| Henderson, Doug (Newcastle N) | Mahon, Mrs Alice |
| Henderson, Ivan (Harwich) | Mallaber, Judy |
| Hepburn, Stephen | Marsden, Gordon (Blackpool S) |
| Heppell, John | Marsden, Paul (Shrewsbury) |
| Hesford, Stephen | Marshall, David (Shettleston) |
| Hewitt, Ms Patricia | Marshall-Andrews, Robert |
| Hill, Keith | Martlew, Eric |
| Hinchliffe, David | Maxton, John |
| Hodge, Ms Margaret | Meale, Alan |
| Hood, Jimmy | Merron, Gillian |
| Hoon, Rt Hon Geoffrey | Michie, Bill (Shef'ld Heeley) |
| Hope, Phil | Milburn, Rt Hon Alan |
| Hopkins, Kelvin | Miller, Andrew |
| Howarth, Alan (Newport E) | Mitchell, Austin |
| Hoyle, Lindsay | Moffatt, Laura |
| Hughes, Ms Beverley (Stretford) | Moonie, Dr Lewis |
| Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) | Moran, Ms Margaret |
| Hughes, Simon (Southwark N) | Morgan, Ms Julie (Cardiff N) |
| Humble, Mrs Joan | Mountford, Kali |
| Hurst, Alan | Mudie, George |
| Hutton, John | Mullin, Chris |
| Iddon, Dr Brian | Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck) |
| Illsley, Eric | Murphy, Jim (Eastwood) |
| Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough) | Murphy, Rt Hon Paul (Torfaen) |
| Jenkins, Brian | Naysmith, Dr Doug |
| Johnson, Alan (Hull W & Hessle) | O'Brien, Bill (Normanton) |
| Johnson, Miss Melanie (Welwyn Hatfield) | O'Brien, Mike (N Warks) |
| Olner, Bill | |
| Jones, Mrs Fiona (Newark) | Organ, Mrs Diana |
| Jones, Helen (Warrington N) | Osborne, Ms Sandra |
| Jones, Ms Jenny (Wolverh'ton SW) | Palmer, Dr Nick |
| Pearson, Ian | |
| Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C) | Perham, Ms Linda |
| Jones, Dr Lynne (Selly Oak) | Pickthall, Colin |
| Jones, Martyn (Clwyd S) | Pike, Peter L |
| Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham) | Plaskitt, James |
| Jowell, Rt Hon Ms Tessa | Pond, Chris |
| Pope, Greg | Straw, Rt Hon Jack |
| Pound, Stephen | Stringer, Graham |
| Powell, Sir Raymond | Stuart, Ms Gisela |
| Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E) | Stunell, Andrew |
| Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) | Sutcliffe, Gerry |
| Prescott, Rt Hon John | Taylor, Rt Hon Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Prosser, Gwyn | |
| Purchase, Ken | Taylor, Ms Dari (Stockton S) |
| Quin, Rt Hon Ms Joyce | Taylor, David (NW Leics) |
| Quinn, Lawrie | Taylor, Matthew (Truro) |
| Radice, Rt Hon Giles | Temple-Morris, Peter |
| Rammell, Bill | Thomas, Gareth (Clwyd W) |
| Rapson, Syd | Thomas, Gareth R (Harrow W) |
| Raynsford, Nick | Timms, Stephen |
| Reed, Andrew (Loughborough) | Tipping, Paddy |
| Rendel, David | Todd, Mark |
| Roche, Mrs Barbara | Touhig, Don |
| Rogers, Allan | Truswell, Paul |
| Rooker, Jeff | Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE) |
| Ross, Ernie (Dundee W) | Turner, Dr Desmond (Kemptown) |
| Rowlands, Ted | Turner, Dr George (NW Norfolk) |
| Roy, Frank | Turner, Neil (Wigan) |
| Ruane, Chris | Twigg, Derek (Halton) |
| Ruddock, Joan | Twigg, Stephen (Enfield) |
| Russell, Bob (Colchester) | Tynan, Bill |
| Russell, Ms Christine (Chester) | Walley, Ms Joan |
| Ryan, Ms Joan | Ward, Ms Claire |
| Salter, Martin | Wareing, Robert N |
| Sanders, Adrian | Watts, David |
| Sarwar, Mohammad | Webb, Steve |
| Savidge, Malcolm | White, Brian |
| Sawford, Phil | Whitehead, Dr Alan |
| Sedgemore, Brian | Wicks, Malcolm |
| Shaw, Jonathan | Wigley, Rt Hon Dafydd |
| Sheerman, Barry | Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Swansea W) |
| Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert | |
| Short, Rt Hon Clare | Williams, Alan W (E Carmarthen) |
| Simpson, Alan (Nottingham S) | Williams, Mrs Betty (Conwy) |
| Singh, Marsha | Willis, Phil |
| Skinner, Dennis | Wills, Michael |
| Smith, Rt Hon Andrew (Oxford E) | Winnick, David |
| Smith, Angela (Basildon) | Winterton, Ms Rosie (Doncaster C) |
| Smith, John (Glamorgan) | Wise, Audrey |
| Southworth, Ms Helen | Wood, Mike |
| Spellar, John | Woolas, Phil |
| Squire, Ms Rachel | Worthington, Tony |
| Starkey, Dr Phyllis | Wright, Dr Tony (Cannock) |
| Steinberg, Gerry | Wyatt, Derek |
| Stewart, David (Inverness E) | |
| Stewart, Ian (Eccles) | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Stinchcombe, Paul | Mr. David Jamieson and |
| Strang, Rt Hon Dr Gavin | Mrs. Anne McGuire. |
| NOES | |
| Amess, David | Chope, Christopher |
| Ancram, Rt Hon Michael | Clappison, James |
| Arbuthnot, Rt Hon James | Clark, Dr Michael (Rayleigh) |
| Atkinson, David (Bour'mth E) | Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Rushcliffe) |
| Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) | |
| Baldry, Tony | Collins, Tim |
| Bercow, John | Colvin, Michael |
| Beresford, Sir Paul | Cormack, Sir Patrick |
| Blunt, Crispin | Cran, James |
| Boswell, Tim | Curry, Rt Hon David |
| Bottomley, Peter (Worthing W) | Davies, Quentin (Grantham) |
| Bottomley, Rt Hon Mrs Virginia | Davis, Rt Hon David (Haltemprice & Howden) |
| Brady, Graham | |
| Brazier, Julian | Dorrell, Rt Hon Stephen |
| Brooke, Rt Hon Peter | Duncan, Alan |
| Browning, Mrs Angela | Duncan Smith, Iain |
| Bruce, Ian (S Dorset) | Evans, Nigel |
| Burns, Simon | Faber, David |
| Butterfill, John | Fabricant, Michael |
| Cash, William | Fallon, Michael |
| Chapman, Sir Sydney (Chipping Barnet) | Flight, Howard |
| Forth, Rt Hon Eric |
| Fox, Dr Liam | Page, Richard |
| Fraser, Christopher | Paice, James |
| Gale, Roger | Paterson, Owen |
| Garnier, Edward | Pickles, Eric |
| Gibb, Nick | Prior, David |
| Gill, Christopher | Randall, John |
| Gray, James | Redwood, Rt Hon John |
| Green, Damian | Robathan, Andrew |
| Greenway, John | Robertson, Laurence |
| Grieve, Dominic | Roe, Mrs Marion (Broxbourne) |
| Hamilton, Rt Hon Sir Archie | Ruffley, David |
| Hammond, Philip | St Aubyn, Nick |
| Hawkins, Nick | Sayeed, Jonathan |
| Hayes, John | Shephard, Rt Hon Mrs Gillian |
| Heathcoat-Amory, Rt Hon David | Shepherd, Richard |
| Hogg, Rt Hon Douglas | Simpson, Keith (Mid-Norfolk) |
| Horam, John | Soames, Nicholas |
| Hunter, Andrew | Spelman, Mrs Caroline |
| Jack, Rt Hon Michael | Spring, Richard |
| Jenkin, Bernard | Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Key, Robert | Streeter, Gary |
| King, Rt Hon Tom (Bridgwater) | Swayne, Desmond |
| Kirkbride, Miss Julie | Syms, Robert |
| Lait, Mrs Jacqui | Tapsell, Sir Peter |
| Lansley, Andrew | Taylor, Ian (Esher & Walton) |
| Leigh, Edward | Taylor, John M (Solihull) |
| Lidington, David | Taylor, Sir Teddy |
| Lilley, Rt Hon Peter | Townend, John |
| Lloyd, Rt Hon Sir Peter (Fareham) | Tredinnick, David |
| Loughton, Tim | Trend, Michael |
| Luff, Peter | Tyrie, Andrew |
| Lyell, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas | Viggers, Peter |
| MacGregor, Rt Hon John | Wardle, Charles |
| McIntosh, Miss Anne | Waterson, Nigel |
| MacKay, Rt Hon Andrew | Wells, Bowen |
| Maclean, Rt Hon David | Whitney, Sir Raymond |
| McLoughlin, Patrick | Whittingdale, John |
| Madel, Sir David | Wilkinson, John |
| Malins, Humfrey | Willetts, David |
| Maples, John | Wilshire, David |
| Mates, Michael | Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton) |
| Maude, Rt Hon Francis | Woodward, Shaun |
| Mawhinney, Rt Hon Sir Brian | Yeo, Tim |
| May, Mrs Theresa | Young, Rt Hon Sir George |
| Moss, Malcolm | |
| Nicholls, Patrick | Tellers for the Noes: |
| O'Brien, Stephen (Eddisbury) | Mrs. Eleanor Laing and |
| Ottaway, Richard | Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown. |
§ Question accordingly agreed to.
§ Lords amendments agreed to.
§ Consequential Government amendment agreed to.