HL Deb 31 July 1968 vol 296 cc360-1

[Nos. 5–7]

Clause 6, page 5, line 1, leave out from "authority" to "may" in line 2.

Clause 6, page 5, line 6, leave out "that section" and insert "section 19 of the Civil Aviation Act 1949" After Clause 6, insert the following new clause—

Powers of rural district councils as respects aerodromes

". Section 19 of the Civil Aviation Act 1949 (power of local authorities to provide aerodromes) shall have effect in relation to councils of rural districts as it has effect in relation to other local authorities, and accordingly in subsection (91 of that section the words the expression "local authority" does not include the council of a rural district in England or Wales, and' are hereby repealed."

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 5. 6 and 7. Section 19 of the Civil Aviation Act 1949, which empowers local authorities, with the consent of the Board of Trade, to provide and maintain aerodromes, does not apply to rural district councils. Although we do not normally think of rural district councils as bodies concerned with the building of aerodromes, nevertheless the Association of Rural District Councils have asked to be put on the same basis as other local authorities. These Amendments make that provision. I beg to move.

Moved, That this House cloth agree with the Commons in the said Amendments (Nos. 5, 6 and 7).—(Lord Beswick.)

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord. I should like to ask one question on Amendment No. 7. Did the Rural District Councils Association, when they approached the Government to be included in the Bill, declare that they were intending either to build or maintain an aerodrome.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, there was no indication that they had any immediate plans to do so, but they pointed out that certain rural district councils are now almost as large as other local authorities and therefore they thought it appropriate, as the Bill was going through the House, to be put on the same basis as other local authorities.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, may I supplement what my noble friend has said? If Stansted were moved to one of the sites which has been suggested, that site would be in the area of a rural district council.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, although we have discussed this subject at great length, I do not believe that anyone has suggested that the local authority concerned should be responsible for Stansted aerodrome. It will, unfortunately, be the responsibility of the British Airports Authority.

On Question, Motion agreed to.