Lords withdraw their challenge
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
from our political correspondent
The Conservative Opposition in the Lords had decided against renewing their challenge to the Government and the Commons when the Transport Bill returned to the Upper House on Wednesday for its final stages.
A decision was taken at a private meeting of Opposition Pears the previous evening not to use their majority to insist on amendments rejected by the Commons.
When the Commons consideration of the Bill ended on Monday Mr. Peter Walker. Conservative front bench spokesman, issued a statement claiming success by the Opposition in making several substantial changes in the Bill.
The statement said that the effectiveness of the Opposition had been such that the abnormal load tax and the wear and tear tax had been dropped, "and there is virtually no chance of quantity licensing being put into operation before a general election".
Although there were still considerable dangers concerning the extension of nationalization, these powers had been considerably amended.
Of the 169 clauses in the Bill, as first drafted, 24 had been dropped, said Mr. • Walker. On the remaining clauses 750 • amendments had been passed, about five to every clause. This was more amendments than for any Bill in British history.