§ Mr. MellishI beg to move Amendment No. 102, in page 30, line 16, after 'if' insert:
'it appears to the Minister that'.1702 Perhaps it would also be convenient to take Amendment No. 103, in page 30, line 18, leave out 'if' and insert 'that'.The second Amendment is consequential on the first. The proviso in paragraph 1 of this Schedule as drafted requires the Minister always to reduce the cost of a site as regards any buildings or works not associated with housing accommodation. The Amendments will give the Minister discretion to decide whether any particular buildings or works should be treated as subsidiary to housing accommodation or not.
This is desirable for two reasons. The question of what items or works should be in admissable for subsidy rests with the Minister who exercises his discretion and it is only logical, therefore, to extend his discretion to the question of site costs. Secondly, it does no more than give statutory recognition to a discretion which has been exercised without difficulty over many years, including the period when the Opposition was in office, in relation to the expensive site subsidy.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Further Amendment made: No. 102, in line 18, leave out 'if' and insert 'that'.—[Mr. Mellish.]