§ [No. 31]
§ In the Schedule, page 24, line 12, leave out "twelve months" and insert "two years".
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in Amendment No. 31. The purpose of this Amendment is to allow from the time of the completion of the measures consisting of constructing, executing, altering, demolishing or removing a building or other works in compliance with Section 11 a period of two years in place of a period of 12 months within which a notice claiming compensation under Clause 21 may be served. The main consideration is to strike an appropriate balance between allowing the person affected a reasonable time to ascertain his loss and make a claim and enabling the recipient of the claim to know the nature of the claim while evidence to determine it is still fresh. It was considered originally, bearing in mind pre- 1554 cedents, that 12 months would be an appropriate period to allow for compensation. This is not a matter calling for any rigid line or involving any major points of principle. Following debate in another place, it was concluded that a period of two years might be more suitable. I beg to move.
§ Moved, that this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Lord Drumalbyn.)