§ In this Act the expression "local authority" means the local authoritty within the meaning of Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.
§ Provided that for the purpose of the application of the provisions of this Act (other than those relating to expenses under Section sixteen of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919) to the county of London the London County Council shall be the local authority to the exclusion of any other authority except that in the City of London the Common Council of the City shall be the local authority for the purposes of the provisions of this Act relating to the prohibition of certain building operations and the prohibition of the demolition of dwelling-houses. —[Dr. Addison.]
§ Brought up, and read the first time.
§ The Minister of HEALTH (Dr. Addison)I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a second time."
The Clause is in execution of a pledge which I gave in Committee. If hon. Members will refer to Sub-section (4) of Clause 1 they will see that that forms the first paragraph in my new Clause, which in addition provides that for the purpose of the application of the provisions of the Act, other than those relating to expenses under Section 16 of the principal Act, the county council shall be the authority for the county of London, to the exclusion of any other authority, except that in the City, in accordance with the existing Statutes, the Common Council of the City will be the local authority for the purposes of Clauses 5 and 6, which I think is the only proper way of allotting the functions under this Bill in London. The borough councils will still remain the local authorities in regard to the Sections relating to the conversion of houses, as heretofore.
§ Sir H. HARRISI am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for making this proposal to meet the point I raised in Committee, but I am sorry to say that as it stands it does not satisfy either the London County Council or the City Corporation. The City Corporation is the authority under Part III. of the principal Act, whereas under this proviso their 1790 powers will be limited to the prohibition of certain building operations and the prohibition of the demolition of dwelling-houses.
§ Dr. ADDISONNo; it does not take away from them any of their powers under Part III. It simply prescribes the authority for the purposes of this Act.
§ Sir H. HARRISWe have had very little time to consider this, but neither of the authorities at present are quite satisfied with it. I would suggest that my right hon. Friend will not necessarily consider this the final word in the matter. There is complete agreement on the subject, and it is only a question of getting appropriate words. The advisers of the two bodies are not satisfied with the present words, and I hope my right hon. Friend will, therefore, not preclude the possibility of reconsideration in the House of Lords.
Question put, and agreed to.
Clause accordingly read a second time, and added to the Bill.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe proposed new Clause in the name of the hon. and gallant Member for Bury (Lieut.-Colonel Guinness) — [Exemption from Rating] —deals with the law of rating, and exempts certain people from rating, and would impose rates on others. This cannot be done on the Report stage. A second Clause in the name of the same hon. and gallant Gentleman—[Increment Value and Reversion Duties]—is really beyond the scope of the Bill, and amends the Finance Act, and should therefore come under Amendments to the Finance Act.