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Amendment proposed: In page 2, line 16, at the end to insert:
Provided that for the year 1961–62 and each subsequent year the amount of the general grant payable to any recipient authority shall not be such that by reason of it a loss, ascertained in the manner set out in section fifteen of this Act, accrues to any rating authority.—[Sir T. Low.]
§ Question again proposed.
§ 3.35 p.m.
§ Sir Toby Low (Blackpool, North)In view of what my right hon. Friend the Minister said yesterday, and after further consideration of the matter and seeing his words in HANSARD, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Amendment—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] and to continue the discussion of the real points of principle in the Clause dealing with transitional provisions to which my right hon. Friend drew our attention.
§ Mr. A. G. Bottomley (Rochester and Chatham)Last evening I was falsely accused of being unfair to the right hon. Gentleman when I suggested that when we debate this matter in Committee and on Second Reading there was not the same pressure upon him as there was last evening. The right hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends took up much time in Committee—where we are limited in our debate—and many of my hon. Friends were prevented then, as they were yesterday, from taking part in the debate.
The hon. Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) quite rightly abstained from voting after the Second Reading debate. Last night, I challenged the right hon. Member for Blackpool, North (Sir T. Low) and his hon. Friends to carry their thoughts and expressions to their logical conclusion. It is fairly obvious that this is a sham, and that the right hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends know it. If they really want to make a challenge they should not withdraw the Amendment but should force the matter to a Division.
§ Question put, That those words be there inserted:—
§ The Committee divided: Ayes 0, Noes 218.
1039§ Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.