§ 4.9 p.m.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYrose to move, That the Draft Carriage by Railway (Revision of Conventions) Order 1974, laid before the House on May 14, be approved. The noble Lord said: My Lords, the United Kingdom is a party to three international railway Conventions referred to in the Carriage by Railway Act 1972 as the Railway Passenger, Railway Freight and Additional Conventions. The purpose of the Order now before the House is to make a few minor amendments to the Schedule to that Act which arc consequential on the revision of the Railway Conventions.
In simple terms, the Draft Order will give statutory effect in the United Kingdom to amendments to the additional Convention which link it with the Passenger Convention of 1970 and so extend its duration: and ensure that certain provisions of the Carriage by Railway Act 1972, which assist the implementation of the Passenger and Freight Conventions of 1961, will continue to do the same for the Conventions of 1970 when these come into force on January 1, 1975. It is in the interest of railways and railway users that the United Kingdom should continue to be a party to these Conventions which enable railways to issue through consignment notes and tickets. They also give traders and passengers a guarantee that uniform rules concerning railway liability for personal injury and death and for loss of or damage to goods will be applied. My Lords, I ask that the House approves this Order so that ararngements can be made for United Kingdom ratification of the new Passenger and Freight Conventions and the Protocol containing the amendments to the Additional Convention in good time before the ratification period expires on October 31, 1974. My Lords, I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Draft Carriage by Railway (Revision of Conventions) Order 1974, laid before the House on May 14, be approved.—(Lord Garnsworthy.)
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, on behalf of the Conservative Party, I should like to thank the noble Lord, Lord Garnsworthy, for explaining 760 so lucidly and briefly what appears at first sight to be complicated but is really a very simple series of points with which we are in agreement.
§ LORD LLOYD OF KILGERRANMy Lords, may I also thank the noble Lord for the clear and lucid way in which he has explained this Order which we are happy to support.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, I am grateful to both noble Lords for what they have said.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.