Electricity Reorganisation (Scotland) Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 12 May 1954.

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Photo of Mr Hector Hughes Mr Hector Hughes , Aberdeen North 12:00, 12 May 1954

When discussing the Question that Clause 2 should stand part of the Bill, I had to criticise its drafting. I have the same kind of criticism to make of this ridiculous and fantastic Clause. We see these astonishing words at the beginning of it, Within 12 months of the coming into operation of this Act, or such longer period.… What does that mean? It means, within 12 months of the coming into operation of the Act or not within 12 months of the coming into operation of the Act. It is a ridiculous piece of draftsmanship, and I hope the Minister will take it back and reconsider it.

Then we come to the statement that the South of Scotland Board shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of State a scheme… There is more verbiage. No one with proper knowledge of the English language would commit himself to such phraseology. Then we come to paragraph (a), for the setting up, for the east and west areas of the South of Scotland District, of such executives, being one for each area… that is, one for the east, and one for the west. Why repeat it?

This Clause is a ridiculous piece of nonsense, and I hope the Government will find some more consummate draftsmen to put it into real English which will mean something and be capable of construction and of administration, if the Bill ever passes into law.