HC Deb 25 July 1963 vol 681 cc1816-7

Lords Amendment: In page 3, line 11, at end insert: (2A) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1) or (2) of this section, the Greater London Council may with the consent of the Minister change the name of the Council or the name by which the area referred to in the said subsection (1) is to be known or both those names or make provision as to the titles by which the chairman, vice-chairman and any deputy chairman of the Council are to be known, and any change of name made in pursuance of this subsection shall take effect as from such date as the Minister may by order appoint; and any such order—

  1. (a) shall not affect any rights or obligations of any council, authority or person, and
  2. (b) shall not be taken as invalidating any instrument (whether made before or after the date appointed by the order) which refers to the Council or the said area by the previous name,
but the new name shall be substituted for the previous name in all enactments relating to the Council or, as the case may be, that area and in all instruments and legal proceedings made or commenced before the said date which refer to that previous name, so, however, that nothing in this subsection shall be construed as affecting the title of any Act or instrument.

Sir K. Joseph

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

The Amendment was introduced in another place to meet the wishes of Opposition peers and in order to give flexibility in case later there was a desire to change the name of the Greater London Council or to change the name by which the chairman of the Council will be known. It is fair to say that no absolute winner of a better name has so far been produced, but in case one is produced and is commonly agreed upon, the Amendment will enable a change to be introduced with the agreement of the Minister.

Mr. M. Stewart

The best name would be to call it the City of London and the chairman the Lord Mayor, and a more suitable name could then be found for the small place in the East End.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendments agreed to.