§ 3.0 p.m.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I have it in Command from Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales that they, having been informed of the purport of the Highways Bill, have consented to place their interests, so far as they are concerned on behalf of the Crown. the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall, at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the Bill.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a third time. When I introduced the Bill to your Lordships' House I said that it was a substantial measure. It is even more substantial now, having had six new clauses and 56 Amendments applied to it, including two important new clauses dealing with walkways and with lorry areas. I am grateful for the constructive care given to the Bill by the whole House. I am particularly grateful for suggestions which came from my noble friends, Lord Brooke of Cumnor and Lord Nugent of Guildford, and the noble Lords, Lord Pargiter and Lord Lucas of Chilworth, and I am glad that we were able to respond to them.
950 As I said on Second Reading, the Bill has four main objectives which will enable our highway network to be extended more quickly while continuing to safeguard all the interests affected by the new proposals. It will improve highway management, increase the safety of users of the highways and make a significant contribution to the improvement of the environment. Thanks to the treatment of the Bill in this House, it will be able to do all those four things better than it could have done when it was first introduced. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(Lord Sandford.)
§ On Question, Bill read 3a with the Amendments, and passed, and returned to the Commons.