§ [Nos. 38–43]
§ Clause 36, page 55, line 20, leave out "and places outside"
§ Clause 36, page 55,line 24, leave out from "within" to "their" in line 25.
§ Clause 36, page 55,line 30, leave out "cease" and insert "continue"
§ Clause 36, page 55,line 30, at end insert "except insofar as they are affected by section 31 of this Act"
§ Clause 36, page 55,line 41, leave out "to and from"
§ Clause 36,Page 56, line 9, leave out "to and from"
§ The Commons disagreed to these Amendments for the following Reason:
§ [No. 44]
§ Because they would unreasonably restrict the economic use of their transport undertakings by local authorities.
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, with the agreement of the House I would suggest that Amendments Nos. 38 to 43, inclusive, be taken together. I beg to move that this House doth not insist on these Amendments. The purpose of Clause 36 is to provide local authorities with general powers to run contract carriages both inside and to or from their districts. The intended effect of the Lords Amendments was to remove the power to operate outside the district. The Government remain of the view that municipal undertakings should not be restricted in this respect; they should be given the opportunity to compete, under safeguards and on fair terms, with non-municipal operators for a share of this profitable traffic. It is a reasonable extension of a trading activity which is already being carried on by responsible elected local authorities, it will enable them to use vehicles and staff which are otherwise idle except at peak traffic periods, and it will be for the economic benefit of their undertakings and in the interests of their passengers as a whole. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That this House doth not insist on its Amendments Nos. 38 to 43 to which the Commons have disagreed.—(Lord Winterbottom.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.