HC Deb 26 July 1957 vol 574 cc804-6

Lords Amendment: In page 25, line 24, leave out "as they may elect either".

Mr. Maudling

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

Perhaps it would be convenient to mention at the same time the Amendments in lines 36, 43, and 47, and in page 26, line 19.

They are together designed merely to clear up a point of doubt that has arisen. The Schedule provides that where people's houses are rendered uninhabitable, the Coal Board must either provide or pay for alternative accommodation. Some doubt has arisen whether this would technically cover the case where people have to leave their homes in a hurry before they can give notice to the Board. Obviously, it is the intention that they should have either payment or alternative accommodation from the Board in those circumstances. These Amendments make it entirely clear that that would be the case.

Question put and agreed to.

Further Lords Amendments made: In line 36, after "dispossession" insert: during which such alternative living accommodation as aforesaid is not made available

In line 43, after "dispossession" insert: during which such alternative living accommodation as aforesaid is not made available

In line 47, leave out from "as" to end of lire and insert "aforesaid".

In page 26, line 19, at end insert: (3)Subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (2)of paragraph 4 of this Schedule, and without prejudice to their liability under the two foregoing sub-paragraphs in respect of any part of the period of dispossession falling before the making of their election, the Board may elect which of the courses open to them under the two foregoing sub-paragraphs they will for the time being adopt in any particular case."—[Mr. Maudling.]

Lords Amendment: In page 27, line 44, leave out from "expenditure" to "is" in line 45 and insert: incurred by him by way of rent and rates

Mr. Maudling

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

Perhaps this Amendment could be discussed with the next and last Amendment. The purpose is as follows. In the Bill as it was discussed in this House we provided that when the Coal Board gave some one free accommodation, it should be able to recoup from that person the home savings, if they may be so called, which the person is able to enjoy because he has moved out of his old home into the new Coal Board accommodation.

It was pointed out with some vigour by hon. and right hon. Gentlemen oppo site that, as drafted, this was not a workable provision, that it was not sensible to try to work out how much a person had saved on lighting, fuel and food. We were inclined to agree with them and we have provided, therefore, that the amount the Coal Board can recoup shall be limited to the saving in rent and rates. That is reasonable, because if people are getting free accommodation and at the same time are relieved of rent and rates, the saving in their old houses on rent and rates should be recouped by the Coal Board.

Indeed we have gone a little further because we have provided that if such a person can show that he is paying more for food, lighting and heating than he otherwise would, he may be able in turn to deduct that from the amount he has to pay to the Coal Board; so we still have a provision about food, living accommodation and so on, but it is for the benefit of the individual suffering the damage and not for the protection of the Coal Board. I hope, therefore, that the Amendments will commend themselves to both sides of the House.

Mr. R. Williams

This is the last Amendment on which we shall speak, and it is right for me to say that the Minister has not met all our arguments, but that he has completely fulfilled the undertaking he gave on this point. Indeed, he has gone further and made it easier for the persons to whom this particular paragraph would apply.

It would be wrong at this stage of the Bill to go over the arguments advanced on Report stage, but the Minister has come far beyond the point where he originally took his stand. He has honourably fulfilled his undertakings in every respect, and this Amendment will receive the full support of the Opposition.

Question put and agreed to.

Further Lords Amendment made: In line 47, at end insert: reduced by any amount by which that resident shows that the aggregate expenditure reasonably incurred by him by way of food, living accommodation (other than rent or rates), heating, light and other household expenses is greater than it would have been in the circumstances aforesaid."—[Mr. Maudling.]