HL Deb 31 July 1930 vol 78 cc1194-5

Page 11, line 20, at end insert: ("Provided further that in any case where it is proved that building which is dangerous or injurious to health by reason only of the narrowness or bad arrangement of the streets on any land in a clearance area was acquired by the owner before the nineteenth day of August, nineteen hundred and nineteen, or is occupied by the owner for the purpose of residence or business, the arbitrator shall make to the owner an allowance for the value of the building having regard to the provisions of Part II of the Third Schedule to this Act.")

The Commons disagree to the above Amendment for the following Reason:

Because by increasing the amount of compensation payable by local authorities, it would increase the burden of local rates; and the Commons do not offer any further Reason, trusting that the above Reason may be deemed sufficient.

VISCOUNT NOVAR moved that the House doth not insist upon its Amendment, and proposes to amend it by leaving out the words "or is occupied by the owner for the purpose of residence or business." The noble Viscount said: The object of this and other Amendments I have to submit is to make the Scottish Bill still more like the English Bill. I beg to move that the House doth not insist upon the Amendment in page 11, line 20, and proposes to amend it by leaving out the words "or is occupied by the owner for the purpose of residence or business." I intimated my intention to move this, and I think it will save time if I simply make a formal Motion.

Moved, That this House doth not insist upon the Amendment to page 11, line 20, and proposes to amend it by leaving out the words ("or is occupied by the owner for the purpose of residence or business").—(Viscount Novar.)

LORD MARLEY

My Lords, this is the usual compensation clause about which there has been so much discussion that I do not intend to delay your Lordships by dealing with it at length. I cannot understand how it can be desired to alter the present law so as to make it more expensive to clear the slums. But the position has been discussed, and I can only say that the Government resist the Motion of the noble Viscount.

On Question, new Amendment disagreed to and Motion not to insist on the proviso agreed to.