Clause 37 - Duty to secure water supply etc
Fire and Rescue Services Bill
10:30 am
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
Perhaps the Minister can confirm that clauses 37 to 40 essentially re-enact the regime of the Fire Services Act 1947 and the Water Industry Act 1991. In other words, we are getting the status quo. Until recently, the 1991 Act was the longest piece of legislation that this Parliament ever passed, and it is very complicated. Without ploughing through it all, can the Minister tell us whether we are re-enacting the status quo? If we are not, will he draw our attention to the differences? Will the Minister tell me why it is necessary to repeat in the Bill provisions in the 1991 Act? Why deal with matters such as the supply of water by water undertakers, which are already dealt with in that Act?