HL Deb 11 November 1976 vol 377 c807

[No.43.]

Page 21, line 1, leave out sub-paragraph (2) and insert— ' (2) The powers of this paragraph are not exercisable—

  1. (a) for the purpose only of securing compliance with orders under section 15 of this Act;
  2. (b) except when an Order in Council under section 3 of this Act is in force, for the purpose only of securing compliance with orders under section 1(1).'

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 43. With the permission of the House, I should like to speak at the same time to Amendment No. 46. These Amendments remove from the Bill powers of access and right of entry with warrant as they relate to Clause 12. As my noble friend Lord Shepherd indicated at Report stage and in correspondence with the noble Lord, Lord Campbell of Croy, the Government have no wish to retain these powers unnecessarily. So far as fuel consumption testing is concerned, I am convinced that such stringent enforcement powers are not required. These Amendments would put orders under Clause 12 in the same position as orders under Clause 1(1) introducing long-term energy conservation measures.

Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Lord Strabolgi.)

Lord STRATHCONA and MOUNT ROYAL

My Lords, I can hardly wait to celebrate the Government voluntarily giving up powers of this kind. I congratulate them.