HC Deb 21 February 1967 vol 741 cc1497-8
Dr. Dickson Mabon

I beg to move Amendment No. 12, in page 8, line 7, after '1965', to insert: 'the Housing (Scotland) Act 1966'. I suggest that it might be for the convenience of the House, Mr. Speaker, if we discuss at the same time Amendments Nos. 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 23.

Mr. Speaker

I have no objection if the House has none.

Mr. G. Campbell

I wonder whether Amendment No. 19 could be taken separately later, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speakerindicated assent.

Dr. Mahon

These Amendments are drafting consequentials of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1966, which consolidates the general provisions of the Housing Acts and comes into force on 1st April. It is necessary to ensure that references to the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1950, are amended or extended where necessary to refer to the 1966 consolidation Act or to take account of changes in the 1950 Act because of the passing of the 1966 Act.

Perhaps I may help hon. Members to appreciate the need for these Amendments by explaining that as a consequence of consolidation, the general provisions of the Housing Acts are contained in the 1966 Act while the 1950 Act now, in effect, contains purely financial provisions. For this reason, it is now necessary, for example, to provide that Clause 18, which is a general provision, should be read with the 1966 Act and not with the 1950 Act. That is the purpose of the Amendments and the reason for the variations contained within them. I do not understand the purpose which the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. G. Campbell) wishes to raise on Amendment No. 19 and I have no doubt that he will want to raise it at the appropriate moment.

Mr. G. Campbell

We knew that changes of this kind were necessary and we drew attention to them in Committee. Now that the Measure which is referred to is an Act, the Government have to make these various changes, to which we on this side have no objection.

Amendment agreed to.