§ [No. 9]
§ After Clause 6, insert the following new clause—
§ Appointment of traffic wardens by British Airports Authority
§ ".—(1) For the purpose of enabling persons appointed by the British Airports Authority to discharge in relation to the aerodromes owned or managed by the Authority functions discharged elsewhere by traffic wardens appointed by police authorities, the Board of Trade may by order apply in relation to the Authority, subject to such adaptations and modifications as appear to the Board to be necessary or expedient, any enactment relating to traffic wardens which is for the time being in force (whether passed before or after the commencement of this Act) and any order or other instrument having effect by virtue of any such enactment.
§ (2) Any order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument, which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, and may be varied or revoked by a subsequent order under this section."
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 9. This Amendment provides for the appointment of traffic wardens by the British Airports Authority. As the House will know, the Authority now has its own police constabulary, but it is not a police authority and therefore there is no power to appoint traffic wardens. At the same time the traffic problems, especially at Heathrow, are growing considerably, and it is thought that traffic wardens, at Heathrow, for example, would satisfactorily solve, or help to solve, some of the traffic problems experienced on the airport, which are similar to those encountered in the streets of London. Under this power the Authority would be able to appoint such traffic wardens. I hope that this will be acceptable.
§ Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment (No.9).—(Lord Beswick.)
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, I am grateful again to the noble Lord for explaining yet another new clause. In fact, since the Bill left this House eight new clauses have been inserted and two of the old clauses have been struck 365 out. I would again generally welcome this additional power for the British Airports Authority. I should like to ask one question of the noble Lord. One assumes that the Airports Authority put their case for being given this power. Did they state that they intended to use traffic wardens at all four of the airports which they at present manage?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, my understanding is that Heathrow is the problem, and it is Heathrow that the Airports Authority have in mind. These powers will, however, enable them to set up a similar corps of traffic wardens elsewhere if the need arises.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.