HL Deb 23 June 1936 vol 101 cc125-40

Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee read.

Moved, That the House do now resolve itself into Committee.—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.

House in Committee accordingly:

[The EARL OF ONSLOW in the Chair.]

Clause 1 agreed to.

Clause 2:

Notice of discharge of trade effluents into local authorities' sewers.

2.—(1) Subject as hereinafter provided, it shall not be lawful to discharge from any trade premises into a sewer of a local authority trade effluent of any particular nature or composition, or to discharge as aforesaid, on any one day, any particular quantity of trade effluent, or to discharge as aforesaid trade effluent at any particular rate—

(b) (Except with the consent of the local authority) until the end of the period of six consecutive months beginning on the day on which the said notice was served on the local authority or, if in relation to the notice, an application for an order under the next following section has been duly made to the Minister and is pending at the end of that period, until the determination or withdrawal of the application;

and if this subsection is contravened in the case of any premises, the occupier of the premises shall be guilty of an offence:

Provided that, as respects any trade premises from which trade effluent of any particular nature or composition was discharged into a sewer of the local authority at any time during the period of twelve months immediately before the commencement of this Act, this subsection shall not restrict the discharge as aforesaid of trade effluent of that nature or composition from those premises, if and so long as the quantity of the trade effluent discharged as aforesaid from the premises on any one day does not exceed the maximum quantity thereof so discharged on any one day during the said period, and the rate at which the trade effluent is so discharged is not higher than the highest rate at which it was so discharged during the said period; and any question as to the nature or composition of the trade effluent discharged from any trade premises into a sewer of a local authority at any time during the said period or as to the maximum quantity so discharged on any one day during the said period or as to the highest rate at which it was so discharged during the said period shall unless agreed between the local authority and the occupier of the trade premises be determined by the Minister.

(2) A local authority, on receiving a trade effluent notice served on them by the owner or occupier of any trade premises, shall forthwith send a copy of the notice to any joint sewerage board of which the local authority are a constituent authority, and to every other local authority being an authority into whose sewers or sewage disposal works the first-mentioned local authority are for the time being entitled to discharge sewage from their sewers.

LORD GAINFORD moved, in paragraph (b) in subsection (1), to leave out all words after "until the end of the" and insert "appropriate time." The noble Lord said: The Amendments appearing on the first page of Amendments in my name deal with matters agreed with the Ministry of Health and the Federation of British Industries. They are really inserted to meet the point raised by traders that their trade effluent may vary from time to time with regard to nature or composition, quantity or rate. Without troubling your Lordships in detail with these Amendments I beg to move.

Amendment moved— Page 2, line 28, leave out from the first ("the") to the end of line 35 and insert ("appropriate time").—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

LORD GAINFORD

I beg to move the next three Amendments on the Order Paper.

Amendments moved— Page 2, line 39, after ("that") insert ("(i)") Page 3, line 11, after ("and") insert ("(ii)")

Page 3, line 12, after ("question") insert ("as to the sufficiency of a trade effluent notice, or").—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Amendments agreed to.

LORD GAINFORD moved, after "Minister" at the end of subsection (1), to insert "on the application of either party." The noble Lord said: I beg to move.

Amendment moved— Page 3, line 20, after ("Minister") insert ("on the application of either party").—(Lord Gainford.)

LORD STRABOLGI

I do not want to delay the proceedings, and I am sure the Amendments are of a drafting nature, but we are coming to some rather more substantial ones. If we could have a general statement that the Government offer no objection to them, it would ease the consciences of some of us.

VISCOUNT GAGE

It was stated by the noble Lord, Lord Gainford, that these Amendments had been agreed with the Ministry of Health on behalf of the Government and I did not think it necessary to confirm that.

LORD STRABOLGI

I am much obliged. I understood the noble Lord to say that they were agreed with the Federation of British Industries.

LORD GAINFORD

And also the Ministry of Health.

LORD STRABOLGI

I did not catch those words. I am much obliged.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

LORD GAINFORD moved, in subsection (2), to leave out the second "local" and insert "sewerage." The noble Lord said: Perhaps I may explain to the noble Lord, Lord Strabolgi, that although this is a drafting Amendment it is important from the London County Council's point of view. The London County Council want to have notice of alterations, and if the word "local" were left in it would prevent notices being sent to that county council and the London municipal councils. The Amendment is really drafting, but I thought I would give that explanation.

Amendment moved— Page 3, line 25, leave out ("local") and insert ("sewerage").—(Lord Gainford.)

LORD JESSEL

I remember that on the last occasion the noble Lord stated that no agreement had been come to with the London County Council and the Metropolitan Borough Councils. I believe I am correct in stating that now an agreement has been arrived at. Perhaps the noble Lord can tell us.

LORD GAINFORD

An agreement has been arrived at with the London County Council and with the Metropolitan Boroughs in London. They are excluded from the scope of the Bill, but it must be patent that possibly there are effluents running into sewers outside the area which may affect the London County Council and the Metropolitan Boroughs, and in that case these authorities desire to have notices sent to them so that proper action may be taken with the Ministry of Health in connection therewith. All these Amendments are agreed with all the authorities.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

LORD GAINFORD moved to insert the following new subsection: (3) In this section the expression ' the appropriate time ' means, in relation to any trade effluent notice, the end of the period of six consecutive months beginning on the day on which the notice was served on the local authority or if, in relation to that notice, an application for a determination of a question as to the sufficiency of the notice or for an order under the next following section has been duly made to the Minister and is pending at the end of that period, the time of the determination or withdrawal of the application. The noble Lord said: I beg to move.

Amendment moved— Page 3, line 29, at end insert the said new subsection.—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Clause 2, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 3:

Orders of Minister with respect, to discharge of trade effluents into local authorities' sewers.

3.—(1) If, within two months after the date on which a trade effluent notice in respect of any trade premises is served by the owner or occupier thereof on a local authority, an application in that behalf is made to the Minister by that local authority or any body to which a copy of the notice is required by the last preceding section to be sent, the Minister may make in relation to those premises either or both of the orders authorised by the following provisions, that is to say:—

(a) An order directing—

LORD GAINFORD moved, in subsection (1), after "local authority," where that, expression first occurs, to insert "or, if within the said two months an application has been made to the Minister for his determination of a question as to the sufficiency of the notice, within two months after the date on which the Minister's determination is made." The noble Lord said: I beg to move.

Amendment moved— Page 3, line 33, after ("authority") insert the said words.—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

LORD GAINFORD moved, in subsection (1), after "(a)) An order directing," to insert "(i) that no trade effluent shall be discharged from the premises into any sewer of the local authority." The noble Lord said: This Amendment is required by the Association of Municipal Corporations to meet cases where an effluent would really be prejudicial in their opinion, and in that case no trade effluent would be discharged. There might be exceptional cases where the expenditure would be so heavy that the resources of the local authority would be unduly taxed. The Amendment is to meet that case.

Amendment moved— Page 3, line 39, at end insert the said paragraph.—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

LORD GAINFORD

The next Amendment is drafting.

Amendment moved— Page 4, line 41, leave out ("local") and insert ("sewerage").—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Clause 3, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 4 agreed to,

Clause 5:

By-laws of local authorities.

5.—(1) A local authority may make by-laws with respect to the discharge of any trade effluent, or trade effluent of any particular nature or composition, from trade premises into a sewer of the local authority, and such by-laws may provide for all or any of the following matters, that is to say:—

(h) For the provision and maintenance on the premises of such meters as may be required to measure the volume of trade effluent being discharged from the premises into the sewer:

(5) Any by-law made by a local authority under this section shall cease to have effect on the expiration of ten years from the date on which it is made. Provided that the Minister may by order extend the period during which any by-law made under this section is to remain in force.

LORD GAINFORD moved, in subsection (1), after "A local authority may," to insert "and, if required by the Minister, shall." The noble Lord said: This Amendment is moved at the suggestion of the Ministry of Health itself, but it does deal with the position taken up by the Dock and Harbour Authorities Association. They think that if there is any injury caused to their docks they could apply to the Ministry and require the local authority to make by-laws with respect to the discharge of a trade effluent of that character. The Amendment is really a safeguard to the dock and harbour authorities against injury to harbours, docks, and tidal waters.

Amendment moved— Page 5, line 32, after ("may") insert ("and, if required by the Minister, shall").—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME moved, in subsection (1), to add to paragraph (h) "and for the testing of such meters." The noble Viscount said: Under paragraph (h) a local authority has power to make by-laws for certain things, and I think it should also have power to make a by-law for testing meters. I understand that my noble friend is going to accept this Amendment, and I think that if your Lordships take his advice and accept it, on Report it will be as well to have an Amendment to Clause 9, on page 10, at the end of line 32, to insert "and for the purpose of testing the accuracy of such meter." I propose, however, to leave that Amendment over till Report. I have spoken to my noble friend about it and I think he agrees with me.

Amendment moved— Page 7, line 4, at end insert ("and for the testing of such meters").—(Viscount Bertie of Thame.)

LORD GAINFORD

I have no objection to this Amendment.

VISCOUNT GAGE

The Government have also agreed.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME

moved, in subsection (5), after the second "by-law," to insert "or relaxation or dispensation thereof made under the preceding subsection." The noble Viscount said: Under this subsection the local authority at the end of ten years may extend the order, and I think it is just as well that they should also have power to extend any relaxation or dispensation which they have been able to give during the ten years before.

Amendment moved— Page 7, line 35, after ("by-law") insert ("or relaxation or dispensation thereof made under the preceding subsection").—(Viscount Bertie of Thame.)

LORD GAINFORD

I gather that the Ministry of Health do not think that these words are necessary. I am informed that they are really redundant. If the period is extended ipso facto the powers in the earlier period would also be extended and therefore the words are not necessary.

VISCOUNT GAGE

That does in fact state the position of the Ministry.

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME

I never like to make myself troublesome. I beg leave to withdraw the Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause 5, as amended, agreed to.

LORD GAINFORD moved, after Clause 5, to insert the following new clause:

Power of Minister to make by-laws in case of default and to revoke unreasonable bylaws.

".—(1) If a local authority, when required by the Minister to make by-laws under the last preceding section in relation to any of the matters with respect to which they are empowered to make such by-laws, do not within three months after such requisition make, in relation to that matter, by-laws satisfactory to him, the Minister may himself make by-laws in relation thereto.

(2) If the Minister is satisfied that the establishment or carrying on of any trade or industry at any premises within the district of a local authority is, or is likely to be, unreasonably impeded in consequence of any by-laws made under the last preceding section by that local authority, he may for the purpose of removing the impediment require the local authority to revoke those by-laws and to make such new by-laws as he considers necessary, and if the local authority do not within three months after such requisition comply therewith, the Minister may himself for that purpose revoke the by-laws and make such new by-laws as he considers necessary.

(3) Any by-laws made by the Minister under this section shall have effect as if they had been duly made by the local authority and confirmed by the Minister."

The noble Lord said: The Federation of British Industries are anxious to secure this power, which is similar to that given to the local authority. The local authorities can approach the Ministry and get orders relaxed, and the Federation of British Industries wish to secure to traders a similar power.

Amendment moved— After Clause 5 insert the said new clause.—(Lord Gainford.)

VISCOUNT GAGE

The Government accept this clause. It follows, with necessary adaptations, Clause 68 of the Public Health Bill and will assimilate the procedure under this. Bill with the general procedure.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Clause 6:

Agreements between local authorities and traders or other local authorities.

(3) A copy of every agreement entered into by a local authority in pursuance of this section, certified by the clerk to the local authority, shall be kept by the local authority at their offices so as to be available at all reasonable times for inspection by any person, upon payment of a fee of sixpence for each inspection.

(5) Where necessary for the purposes of this Act, any agreement made under Section twenty-eight of the Public Health Act, 1975 (which authorises agreements for the drainage of the sewers of one local authority into the sewers of another) may be cancelled or altered subject to such conditions and in such manner as may be agreed upon between the parties or, in default of agreement, determined by the Minister upon application made by either or any of the parties after notice to the other party or parties.

LORD GAINFORD

The first two Amendments to this clause are drafting Amendments.

Amendments moved— Page 8, line 11, leave out ("local") and insert ("sewerage") Page 8, line 13, leave out ("local") and insert ("sewerage").—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Amendments agreed to.

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME moved, in subsection (3) after the first "inspection," to insert "and copying." The noble Viscount said: This is little more than a drafting Amendment, and I understand my noble friend is prepared to accept it.

Amendment moved— Page 8, line 29, after ("inspection") insert ("and copying").—(Viscount Bertie of Thame.)

LORD GAINFORD

I have no objection to this Amendment.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

LORD GAINFORD moved to leave out subsection (5) and insert: (5) If, on the application of any local authority being a party to an agreement which, whether before or after the passing of this Act, has been entered into in pursuance of Section twenty-eight of the Public Health Act, 1875 (which authorises agreements for the drainage of the sewers of one local authority into the sewers of another) the Minister is satisfied that, owing to circumstances arising or likely to arise by reason of the operation of this Act, the agreement ought to be cancelled or varied, he may by order direct that, subject to such conditions (if any) as he may in default of agreement between the parties determine, the agreement shall cease to have effect, or that the agreement shall be varied in such manner as may be specified in the order. (6) This section shall have effect as from the passing of this Act.

The noble Lord said: This Amendment is required in order to meet the Minister's view and to give power to vary agreements where two or more authorities drain into each other's sewerage system.

Amendment moved— Page 8, line 38, leave out subsection (5) and insert the said new subsections.—(Lord Gainford.)

VISCOUNT GAGE

The Government agree to this Amendment.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Clause 6, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 7 agreed to.

Clause 8:

Production of plans, and furnishing of information to local authorities.

"(3) Every person who fails to comply with this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall, for each such offence, be liable to a fine not exceeding five pounds and to a further fine not exceeding forty shillings for every day on which the offence continues after conviction therefor."

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME moved, in subsection (3), after "liable," to insert "on summary conviction." The noble Viscount said: I think that in most Bills when a person is liable to a fine it is on summary conviction, and for that reason I beg to move.

Amendment moved— Page 10, line 9, after ("liable") insert ("on summary conviction").—(Viscount Bertie of Thame.)

LORD GAINFORD

This Amendment is really not required. By Clause 15 the Bill is to be construed as one of the Public Health Acts, 1875 to 1936, which deal with the whole subject, and therefore this Amendment will not be necessary.

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME

I plead guilty to negligence, and beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause 8 agreed to.

Clause 9:

Entry and inspection of trade premises.

(2) An officer of a local authority who takes a sample of any trade effluent with the intention of submitting it to analysis shall forthwith notify to the occupier of the trade premises or his agent his intention to have it analysed and shall there and then divide the sample into three parts, each part to be marked and sealed up in a suitable container, and shall—

  1. (a) if required so to do, deliver one part to the occupier of the trade premises or his agent;
  2. (b) retain one part for future comparison;
  3. (c) if he thinks fit to have an analysis made, submit one part to the analyst.

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME moved, in paragraph (c) of subsection (2), to leave out "the" and insert "a public" [analyst]. The noble Viscount said: I do not quite know what "the" analyst is. I should have thought it ought to be a public analyst. I beg to move.

Amendment moved— Page 11, line 8, leave out ("the") and insert ("a public").—(Viscount Bertie of Thame.)

LORD GAINFORD

The reason why this Amendment cannot be accepted is that a public analyst is appointed under the Food and Drugs Act, and the public analyst has often not got the necessary experience in connection with the kind of bacteriological and analytical work which will be required under the provisions of this Bill. The Ministry think it is very desirable that there should be absolute elasticity in regard to the analyst who may be selected for the particular purpose that may be required, and the public analyst might not be the best person that could be found in certain circumstances.

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME

I do not wish to be obstructive, and beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause 9 agreed to.

Clauses 10 and 11 agreed to.

Clause 12:

Saving of rights with respect to volume of water.

12. Nothing in this Act shall affect any right with respect to the volume of water in a river, stream or watercourse, or authorise any infringement of such a right.

LORD GAINFORD moved, after "shall," to insert "(a)." The noble Lord said: This Amendment deals with a case which may occur in connection with any trading establishment which for a period is not in operation and certain rights might be extinguished if the words which I propose to insert after "right" were not included. Where a trading operation is for the time being not in operation it is very desirable that for a reasonable period the parties concerned should not lose any right that at the present time they possess. The Amendment is designed to meet that case.

Amendment moved— Page 12, line 3, after ("shall") insert ("(a)").—(Lord Gainford.)

VISCOUNT GAGE

I agree.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

LORD GAINFORD

The next Amendment is consequential.

Amendment moved— Page 12, line 6, after ("right") insert "or (b) affect any right or drainage acquired by any person, by prescription or otherwise, before the commencement of this Act").—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Clause 12, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 13:

Incidental powers of Minister.

13.—(1) The Minister, upon application made to him by any local authority or joint sewerage board or by the owner or occupier of trade premises within the district of the local authority or board, may by order make such amendments or adaptations of any local Act relating to that authority or board as appear to him to be necessary for the purpose of bringing the provisions of that Act into conformity with the provisions of this Act.

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME moved to add to subsection (1): Provided that any such order shall, as soon as may be, be laid before each House of Parliament and if either House within twenty-eight days on which that House has sat after the date on which the order is laid before it passes a Resolution against the order, the order shall thenceforth be void but without prejudice to the making of a new order.

The noble Viscount said: If your Lordships will look at this clause you will see that The Minister, upon application made to him by any local authority or joint sewerage board or by the owner or occupier of trade premises within the district of the local authority or board, may by order make such amendments or adaptations of any local Act relating to that authority or board as appear to him to be necessary for the purpose of bringing the provisions of that Act into conformity with the provisions of this Act. It seems to me that nobody has any power to say that the Minister has gone beyond his powers. By order he can alter this Private Act perhaps in some respect contrary to the intention of the Bill, and it seems to me that Parliament or some other authority should have power to say to him: "You have gone beyond your authority and we annul what you have done."

Amendment moved— Page 12, line 15, at end insert the said proviso.—(Viscount Bertie of Thame.)

LORD GAINFORD

The objection to this Amendment is that the Ministry of Health has a Bill for amending Local Acts, and it is necessary that this Bill should conform to the Bill which has already gone through the Joint Committee upstairs with which it will be eventually merged. Therefore the Ministry of Health are not of the opinion that this Amendment should be accepted.

VISCOUNT GAGE

I might also add that this is actually the procedure which finds a place in the existing law. Clause 13 (1) as drafted follows Section 37 of the Public Health (Amending) Act, 1907, and Section 6 of the Public Health Act, 1925, which is reproduced in the Bill at present before Parliament. Obviously it is within the power of any individual who considers the Minister has gone beyond what he is authorised to do to proceed in the Courts against him for taking action ultra vires.

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME

I am glad that the noble Viscount quoted the dates of the Acts in his reply. Both these Acts were passed before the Report of the Donoughmore Committee which dealt rather severely with Ministerial powers. But I think, at any rate for the time being, I shall withdraw this Amendment and consider whether I shall bring it up again.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause 13 agreed to.

Clause 14:

Interpretation.

14. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say:— District" means, in relation to a local authority, the area over which that authority has jurisdiction;

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME moved, in the definition of "district," to leave out "has" and insert "have" The noble Viscount said: This is a drafting Amendment which I understand my noble friend accepts.

Amendment moved— Page 12, line 35, leave out ("has") and insert ("have").—(Viscount Bertie of Thame.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

LORD GAINFORD moved to insert: 'Sewerage authority ' means a local authority, the London County Council and the council of a metropolitan borough.

The noble Lord said: I have already explained that the word "sewerage" has to be inserted and this is merely a definition.

Amendment moved— Page 13, line 9, at end insert the said words.—(Lord Gainford.)

LORD JESSEL

May I ask whether it would not be better to put the word "Sewerage" a little higher up in the. Bill before "The Minister." You have "Local authority" at the top of the page, and "Sewerage authority" is to come after "The Minister."

LORD GAINFORD

This Bill has been carefully looked at by responsible draftsmen, and it is not for me to say that any alterations should take place. Note will be made of the observations of the noble Lord, and if the draftsmen on reconsideration think it is necessary I have no doubt the Minister of Health would insert an Amendment on Report.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Clause 14, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 15:

Short title, construction, citation, extent and commencement.

15.—(1) This Act may he cited as the Public Health (Drainage of Trade Promises) Act, 1936, and shall he construed as one with the Public Health Acts, 1875 to 1932, and those Acts and this Act may be cited together as the Public Health Acts, 1875 to 1936.

(2) This Act shall not extend to Scotland, Northern Ireland or the administrative county of London.

(3) This Act shall come into operation on the first day of July nineteen hundred and thirty-seven:

Provided that at any time before the said day the Minister, if satisfied, upon application made by a local authority, that having regard to the inadequacy of the sewers or sewage works available for the reception or disposal of trade effluents from premises in the district of the local authority it is expedient so to do, may make an order directing that this Act shall not come into operation in that district until such day as may be specified in the order, and any order made as aforesaid may, subject to the like conditions, be varied by a subsequent order made by the Minister; and in relation to any district with respect to which such an order as aforesaid has been made, the commencement of this Act shall be taken to be the beginning of the day on which this Act comes into operation in that district; and a local authority making application to the Minister for such an order shall give notice of the application by advertisement in two newspapers circulating in the district of the local authority and the Minister before deciding whether or not to make the order shall consider any representations or objections made to him in writing by any owner or occupier of trade premises in the district.

LORD GAINFORD moved, in subsection (2), to leave out "or". The noble Lord said: This Amendment and the following Amendments are made to meet comments made by the London County Council, which desired to exclude from the scope of the Bill not only the administrative County of London but also the areas outside London which drain into the London system. I beg to move.

Amendment moved— Page 13, line 28, leave out ("or").—(Lord Gainford.)

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

I want to say a word on behalf of the London County Council and the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee, because this Amendment affects directly the County of London and certain outlying regions of the Metropolitan area. These bodies express their gratitude to the noble Lord in charge of the Bill for meeting them so readily. His Amendment exactly covers the principal objection that they were bound to raise on Second Reading, and they very much hope that your Lordships will see your way to incorporate this Amendment like the preceding Amendments in the Bill.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Amendments moved—

Page 13, line 28, at end insert ("or to any area which immediately before the passing of this Act drains directly or indirectly into a sewer or sewage disposal works vested in the London County Council or in the council of a metropolitan borough").

Page 13, line 29, after ("shall") insert ("save as otherwise specially provided therein").—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Amendments agreed to.

THE LORD CHAIRMAN

I have a manuscript Amendment from Lord Gainford on Clause 15, page 14, line 8, after "authority" to insert "and in the London Gazette."

LORD GAINFORD moved, in the proviso in subsection (3), after "authority," where that word last occurs, to insert "and in the London Gazette." The noble Lord said: This is merely an Amendment to give information as to what has been done in connection with the notices that are to be given under the Public Health Act which has passed through the Joint Committee, and the Federation of British Industries are very anxious that in addition to the advertisement in the two papers the advertisement shall appear also in the London Gazette.

Amendment moved— Page 14, line 8, after ("authority") insert ("and in the London Gazette").—(Lord Gainford.)

VISCOUNT GAGE

This seems a reasonable proposal and the Government accept it.

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Clause 15, as amended, agreed to.

Schedule:

SCHEDULE.

Provisions as to making and publication of by-laws.

2. Where the owner or occupier of any trade premises within the district of the local authority serves upon them a written request to be registered and states his name and postal address, it shall be the duty of the local authority to enter his name in a register to be kept by them for the purpose of this Act, and so long as his name appears in the register, the local authority shall cause to be sent to him a copy of every notice which they are required by this or any other Act to publish in connection with the making of by-laws under this Act or the confirmation of such by-laws.

LORD GAINFORD

The Amendment to the Schedule down in my name is drafting. I beg to move.

Amendment moved— Page 15, line 32, leave out ("local") and insert ("sewerage").—(Lord Gainford.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAME moved, in paragraph 2, after "name," to insert "and address." The noble Viscount said: This is an Amendment of a drafting nature which my noble friend has been kind enough to say he accepts. I beg to move.

Amendment moved— Page 16, line 9, after ("name") insert ("and address").—(Viscount Bertie of Thame.)

On Question, Amendment agreed to.

Schedule, as amended, agreed to.