HL Deb 03 February 1981 vol 416 cc1043-5

The Chairman of Committees (Lord Aberdare) rose to move, That pursuant to the Motion agreed to by the House on Tuesday last there shall be a Select Committee to consider whether, in the light of the matters complained of in the petitions against the Order the area specified in the Order should be designated as an urban development area under Part XVI of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980; and that as proposed by the Committee of Selection the following Lords be named of the Committee:

That the proceedings of the Committee shall be conducted as if it were a Committee on an opposed Private Bill;

That the order and the following petitions against it shall stand referred to the Committee.

Committee:—

  1. 1. Newham Chamber of Commerce.
  2. 2. Newham Voluntary Agencies Council.
  3. 3. Greater London Council.
  4. 4. Mrs. Anne King.
  5. 5. Bermondsey Forum;
    • North Southwark Community Development Group;
    • Mayflower Tenants' Association;
    • Southwark Docklands Campaign;
    • Surrey Docks Child Care Project.
  6. 6. Tower Hamlets Trades Council;
    • Southwark Trades Council
    • West Ham Trades Council;
  7. 7. Association of Wapping Organisations;
    • Stephen and Matilda Tenants Co-operative;
    • South Quay Tenants Association;
    • Limehouse Development Group.
  8. 8. Newham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets Borough Councils.
  9. 9. Association of Island Communities.
  10. 10. Proprietors of Hay's Wharf Limited;
    • London Bridge Properties Limited;
    • London Bridge Developments Limited;
    • St. Martins Property Investments Limited.

That there shall also stand referred to the Committee every petition deposited in the Office of the Clerk of the Parliaments complaining of matters raised in a petition against the order and any petitioner whose petition stands referred under this paragraph may, not-withstanding the provisions of Standing Order 110(2), be heard upon such petition by themselves, their Counsel or agents, if the Committee think fit;

That the Committee do meet on Tuesday 10th February at 11.00 a.m. in the Moses Room.

The noble Lord said: My Lords, in moving this somewhat long Motion standing in my name, I think I should say a few words on its import. Last Tuesday, your Lordships agreed to the report from the Hybrid Instruments Committee on the London Docklands Development Corporation (Area and Constitution) Order 1980 and the Motion now before the House is to appoint the members of that Select Committee, and sets out the terms of reference to enable it to carry out the further inquiry into the order which was recommended by the Hybrid Instruments Committee. Your Lordships will note that the order and the list of petitions deposited against it are referred to the Select Committee and that its proceedings will be conducted as if it were a Select Committee on an opposed private Bill.

Lastly, may I say a few words about the last paragraph which gave me some difficulty last Tuesday in trying to explain to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Elwyn-Jones, what it meant. I am afraid I was not as clear as I might have been and that I may have given the noble and learned Lord the wrong impression.

The purpose of the procedure provided for in this paragraph is to enable the Committee, if they see fit, to hear petitioners who complain of matters raised in any petition already deposited against the order. This procedure is most likely to apply where a petitioner against the order asks for an alteration in the boundary of the designated area and some other body objects to such alteration and should have an opportunity to be heard.

Perhaps a simple example is the clearest way of explaining it. The Greater London Council petition against the order (which is one of those to be considered by the Select Committee) seeks an alteration of the boundary of the development area to include certain land which is in the ownership of the British Gas Corporation. If your Lordships agree to it, this paragraph would give the Select Committee, if they so wish, the right to hear representations from the British Gas Corporation opposing the proposals of the Greater London Council. I beg to move.

Moved, that the Motion be agreed to.—(Lord Aberdare.)

Lord Elwyn-Jones

My Lords, the House will be grateful to the noble Lord the Chairman of Committees for clarifying the obscure so admirably.

On Question, Motion agreed to.