HL Deb 14 June 1928 vol 71 cc474-6

Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.

LORD DESBOROUGH

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be read a third time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(Lord Desborough.)

EARL BUXTON

My Lords, perhaps I may be allowed on behalf of those with whom I act, to express our recognition of the friendly attitude with which my noble friend and the Government have received the suggestions that we have made. We have not a complete loaf, but we have a very considerable portion of the various Amendments that we suggested, and I think he will himself recognise that these were all in accordance with the object that we had in view—namely, to get rid of these pumps, so far as we can, in all places where they destroy the beauty of the scenery and the amenities of the surroundings. If the noble Lord will allow me, I would also like to press upon him that the Government should do their very best to get these Amendments through the other House. I am sure that he can truthfully say that, in this House at all events, there is no difference of opinion at all, and that we hold that Clause 5, as it is now amended, makes a very important addition to the Bill, and helps to secure the object that we all had in view.

On Question, Bill read 3a.

Clause 5:

By-laws as to petroleum filling stations.

5.—(1) For the purpose of preserving for the enjoyment of the public the amenities of any rural scenery or place of beauty or historic interest or of any public park or pleasure promenade, or of any street or place which is of interest by reason of its picturesque character, the council of any county or borough may make by-laws—

  1. (a) regulating the appearance of petroleum filling stations; or
  2. (b) prohibiting the establishment of petroleum filling stations.

LORD DESBOROUGH

My Lords, I am sure that on behalf of the Government I can voice their appreciation of the sentiments expressed by my noble friend opposite, and for my own part I can assure him that I will do my best to get facilities for the Bill, so that it may be passed with all expedition in another place. I am sure we are all working with the same object in view—namely, the preservation of places of beauty and historic interest. I have one Amendment to move. In Committee doubts were expressed as to whether the word "rural" in Clause 5 covered not only "scenery" but "places of beauty or historic interest," and to make it clear that the word "rural" is not the governing word for all these matters, I beg to move the insertion of the words "of any" after the words "scenery or." The clause will then read:— For the purpose of preserving for the enjoyment of the public the amenities of any rural scenery or of any place of beauty or historic interest. I think the insertion of those words will make the intention of your Lordships and of the Government perfectly clear.

Amendment moved— Page 4, line 31, after ("scenery or") insert ("of any").—(Lord Desborough.)

LORD PARMOOR

My Lords, I would like to thank the noble Lord for this great improvement in drafting. I know that the other evening, when this was being discussed, he expressed the opinion of the Government that the word "rural" applied only to scenery, and now we have the matter made quite clear. The question was raised by Lord Arnold, and I think that the noble Lord opposite has met my noble friend's objection very frankly and fully.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Bill passed, and returned to the Commons.