Clause 62.—(POWER OF COUNTY COURT OR SHERIFF TO MODIFY AGREEMENTS AND APPORTION EXPENSES.) (Hansard, 6 March 1963)

§ Mr. Whitelaw

I beg to move, in page 44, line 27, to leave out from "court" to "considers" in line 31 and to insert having regard to the terms of any agreement or lease relating to the premises, may by order give such directions with respect to the persons by whom the expense or increase is to be borne, and in what proportions it is to be borne by them and, if need be, for modification of the terms of any such agreement or 594 lease so far as concerns rent payable in respect of the premises as the court. Subsection (2) confers powers on the county courts to apportion expenses arising from alterations made or other things done to comply with the Bill between persons having an interest in the premises, usually the owner and the occupier. The purpose of the Amendment is to make it clear that the court may make an order adjusting the rent.

The point was raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mr. Graham Page) in Committee. He said that he could not follow my arguments. Reading them, nor could I, nor could my advisers. It is therefore thought advisable to put down this Amendment, which I commend to the House.