HL Deb 19 March 1997 vol 579 cc1014-5

8.59 p.m.

Earl Ferrers rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 3rd March be approved [19th Report from the Deregulation Committee].

The noble Earl said: My Lords, at present boat owners who want to take their boat down a river which is managed by British Waterways need a licence from it. British Waterways is a navigation authority for over 2,000 miles of canals and navigable rivers across Britain. Local authorities also have a power to license pleasure boats under the Public Health Acts Amendment Act of 1907.

The draft order before your Lordships will remove the local authority's powers where there is already provision for British Waterways to issue licences. No protection which is currently provided by the local authorities will be lost. The deregulation order will not prevent a local authority from exercising its licensing powers where necessary on waters which are not owned or managed by British Waterways.

It makes no sense for two public authorities to license the same pleasure boats. It clearly imposes an unfair burden on hire boat businesses. I am satisfied that there will be no adverse effect on public safety. If approved by your Lordships, the regulations will come into effect on 1st January 1998. I beg to move.

Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 3rd March be approved [19th Report from the Deregulation Committee].—(Earl Ferrers.)

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, the House will be grateful to the noble Earl for introducing the order.

For the benefit of the House, can he explain what is the British Waterways Board? Who are the members? Are they paid or unpaid?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, the British Waterways Board is a board which is responsible for running such things as canals, waterways and so forth. They are paid members and they do their job with remarkable expedition and efficiency.

On Question, Motion agreed to.