Orders of the Day — Town and Country Planning Bill – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 1 Awst 1947.
I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman about the wording. I imagine the answer may be that this is merely a drafting change, but it appears at first sight to be capable of a somewhat wider construction. The Clause as amended reads:
. . then it immediately before that day those works could have been completed in conformity with the provisions of a planning scheme…
The word "could" may involve consideration of all such questions as the grant of building licences. One does not know when the appointed day will come. I do not think it is the intention that something in Clause 76 should depend on whether one gets a licence from the Ministry of Works before the appointed day, but the word "could" makes it possible for that view to be taken. I ask the right hon. Gentleman to have a look at it again. I do not think there is anything of substance between us, but the new Amendment appears at first sight to be rather dangerously wide.
I should hardly have thought that planning permission involved permission by the Ministry of Works, but if there is the slightest doubt about it—I have the hon. and learned Gentleman's point—it will be put right. I agree with him that it is not intended to mean that.