Local Authority May Take over Private Sewage Treatment Works.

Orders of the Day — Sewerage (Scotland) Bill – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 April 1968.

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Photo of Mr Norman Buchan Mr Norman Buchan , Renfrewshire West 12:00, 10 April 1968

I beg to move Amendment No. 31, in page 10, line 3, after may ' insert: ', by agreement with the owner of the works, or failing agreement'.

Photo of Dr Horace King Dr Horace King , Southampton, Itchen

We can take at the same time Amendments No. 33 and No. 35.

Photo of Mr Norman Buchan Mr Norman Buchan , Renfrewshire West

In Committee, the hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Wylie) moved a series of Amendments to Clause 17, the effect of which would have been to provide for agreements between local authorities and owners of private sewage treatment works for the taking over of such works by the local authority. Only in case of failure to reach agreement could the local authority invoke the procedure of taking over the works by notice.

We accepted the principle underlying those Amendments and undertook to look at the matter before Report. I hope that the hon. and learned Gentleman will agree that our Amendments achieve his aim.

Amendment agreed to.

Photo of Mr Norman Buchan Mr Norman Buchan , Renfrewshire West

I beg to move Amendment No. 32, in page 10, line 18, leave out from 'notice' to 'decision' in line 20 and insert: 'appeal to the Secretary of State who may confirm the proposals of the local authority and any conditions so specified either with or without modification or refuse to confirm them, and his'.

Photo of Dr Horace King Dr Horace King , Southampton, Itchen

I suggest that we take at the same time Amendment No. 34.

Photo of Mr Norman Buchan Mr Norman Buchan , Renfrewshire West

This was one of the climactic moments in Committee. The effect of these Amendments is to substitute an appeal to the Secretary of State for the appeal to be the sheriff under Clause 17. This implements the undertaking which we gave in Committee after a long and protracted struggle on other parts of the Clause. No doubt the Amendment will rejoice the hearts of hon. Members opposite.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: No. 33, in page 10, line 22, after them ', insert: 'in accordance with the terms of any agreement made under subsection (1) above, or Failing such agreement';

No. 34, in line 24, leave out ` sheriff' and insert ' Secretary of State ';

No. 35, in line 30, at beginning insert: 'An agreement under subsection (1) above or '.—[Mr. Buchan.]