HL Deb 20 November 1945 vol 137 cc1013-4

2.37 p.m.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITUTEES (VISCOUNT MERSEY)

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

Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a. —(Viscount Mersey).

THE MARQUESS OF ABERDEEN AND TEMAIR

My Lords, may I adopt rather an exceptional course on the Third Reading of a Private Bill? As a member of the Metropolitan Water Board of over thirty-two years standing, I wish to say that we are in rather a unique position to-day, inasmuch as this Bill, which is one of many Bills affecting the welfare of London and Greater London in regard to a proper supply of water, is the first one we have had since the war. It is extremely Important at the present time, inasmuch as there are so many programmes for reconstruction, notably housing. In another place a Bill had a rather chequered existence for a time. It was, however, ably sponsored by another member of the Metropolitan Water Board, who has been on the Board for eight years and who is at present the Chairman of the Law and Parliamentary Committee of that Board—namely, the noble Lord, Lord Morrison, who has just been introduced into your Lordships' House.

I am sure that with his ability and his experience in another place he will be an added ornament to your Lordships' House. May I also say that it gives me special pleasure to make this reference to the noble Lord because he is a native of the city of which I bear the name? Scots always hang together; we hang together both in the Metropolitan Water Board and in your Lordships' House. I feel that his introduction here to-day marks another stage in adding useful members to your Lordships' House, as was pointed out only last Wednesday, when we had a notable contribution from a noble Lord speaking for the first time on the question of building construction. This is another instance in which we have had a useful addition to our members. May I point out that this Bill, to which your Lordships are now asked to give a Third Reading, is an extraordinarily important one for the welfare of the Metropolis and that it marks a very big advance in the facilities for affording what has always been the policy of the Metropolitan Water Board—namely, a pure water supply to all of those who live in the capital of the Empire?

On Question, Bill read 3a, and passed, and sent to the Commons.