GAS UNDERTAKINGS BILL. [H.L.] (Hansard, 26 June 1934)

§ LORD TEMPLEMORE

My Lords, in moving that the Commons Amendments be now considered, I think it might be for the convenience of your Lordships if I give a general survey of the Commons Amendments. After the question that the Commons Amendments be considered has been carried, I will, with your Lordships' permission, venture to move that the House agree with the Amendments en bloc, because I think that will be the most convenient course. The Commons Amendments appearing on the Order Paper seem at first sight very formidable but the majority of them are essentially of a drafting character. They have been introduced very largely as a result of representations made by the industry and others who will be affected by this legislation. Of the remaining Amendments there are two which have been introduced to meet special conditions under which some, but by no means all, gas undertakers operate. After examination these particular matters were deemed to be of sufficient importance to justify dealing with them in a General Act. The Amendments in question are the new clauses to be inserted after Clause 1 and after Clause 6. The Amendment to Clause 5, on page 7 of the Bill and the new clause proposed to be inserted after Clause 20 constitute in the main a re-arrangement, although I would point out to your Lordships that the alteration has also the effect of applying the provisions concerned to all undertakers instead of only to those who elect to avail themselves of the powers to be conferred by Clause 5 of the Bill. The Amendments to Clauses 12 and 19, the new clause dealing with the appointment of officers as directors, proposed to be inserted after Clause 21, the new clause to be inserted after Clause 23, the Amendment at the end of line 4 of page 29 of the First Schedule and in line 26 of page 30 of the Second Schedule as well as that on page 34 of the Bill, although not in the nature of drafting Amendments, are all more or less self-explanatory and I will not go into them further at the moment, though I shall be pleased to give any information regarding them that your Lordships may desire.

I would, however, direct your Lordships' attention particularly to the new clause, "Avoidance of provision in lease etc. preventing supply of gas," after Clause 21 and the new clause proposed after 144 Clause 26. The first of these new clauses prohibits local authorities, being owners of property, from using their power as landlords to secure provisions in leases, etc., preventing or restricting the tenants from taking a supply of gas. Apart from the fact that a provision on these lines has received your Lordships' assent in several recent Bills, I feel sure that the general policy underlying this clause is one that will be approved. The other new clause aims at making it easier for Scottish undertakers who are operating under the Burghs Gas Supply (Scotland) Act, 1876, to avail themselves of the Special Order procedure in seeking further powers. Under the existing law there are certain practical difficulties encountered and it is the intention of the new clause to remove them. My Lords, I beg to move that the Commons Amendments be now considered.