§ After Clause 16 insert the following new-clause:
§ Action in default of certain local authorities.
§ . If it appears to the Minister, in relation to the London County Council or the council of any county borough or Metropolitan borough, after holding a local inquiry at which the council, or such other persons as the person holding the inquiry, may, in his discretion, think fit to allow, shall be permitted to appear and be heard, that the council have failed to satisfy to the extent to which it is reasonably practicable, having regard to the provisions of the Allotments Acts, the demand for allotment gardens to be provided by the council the Minister may, by order, transfer to the Small Holdings Commissioners all or any of the powers of the council relating to the provision of allotment gardens and the provisions of section twenty-four of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, shall apply as if references to the Commissioners were substituted for references to the county council and with such other adaptations as may be made by the order."
§ LORD STRACHIEI have on the Paper an Amendment to this Amendment, to leave out "or" where that word thirdly occurs and insert "shall have the right to appear and be heard, and."
§ THE EARL OF ANCASTERI think, if Lord Strachie will permit me, it will be convenient if I read the whole clause as it would appear if an Amendment which I desire to move in place of the noble Lord's Amendment be agreed to. It will then read as follows:—
. If it appears to the Minister, in relation to the London County Council or the council of any county borough or Metropolitan borough after holding a local inquiry at which the council and—instead of "or"such other persons—and so on. I think that covers Lord Strachie's point.
§ LORD STRACHIEIf the noble Earl gives me an assurance that my point is entirely covered by his Amendment, I am willing to withdraw my Amendment. I think it is very inconvenient that these Amendments do not give details of the lines to which they apply, and perhaps the noble Earl will see that this is done another time. The object of my Amendment, of which I gave Notice, was to give the London County Council and other great county councils and administrative bodies the right to appear before the officer holding the inquiry instead of being obliged to ask leave to appear, as appears to be provided at present. I think the House will agree that it is not right or fitting that the great authorities should have to ask Government officials whether they have the right to appear. I desire that they should have an absolute right to appear, without having to ask leave of the officer of the Ministry of Agriculture. I am perfectly satisfied, if the noble Lord's Amendment meets my point.
§ THE EARL OF ANCASTERI am in-formed that this is the most convenient way of putting it.
§ LORD STRACHIEBut does the noble Earl assure me that it gives these authorities an absolute right to appear?
§ THE EARL OF ANCASTERYes, it gives a right to appear.
§ LORD STRACHIEIn that case I shall not move my Amendment.
§
Amendment to Commons Amendment moved—
Line 4, leave out "or" and insert "and."— (The Earl of Ancaster).
§ On Question, Amendment agreed to.
1064§ Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment, as amended.—(The Earl of Aneaster.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.