HC Deb 25 July 1972 vol 841 cc1751-9

HOUSING COMMISSIONER: SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS

Lords Amendment: No. 96, after Clause 93, in page 102, line 10, at end insert new Clause D.

  1. "(1) A Housing Commissioner shall have power to do all such things as appear to him to be necessary or expedient for the performance of the functions he is appointed to discharge, and he may in particular—
    1. (a) do anything which the authority would have power to do in the performance of those functions, and complete anything begun by the authority in the performance of those functions,
    2. (b) appoint and employ his own staff, obtain any legal or other professional services, and use any legal or other professional advice obtained by the authority,
      3. 1752
    3. (c) institute or defend legal proceedings, and continue any proceedings to which the authority are a party,?
    4. (d) execute any deed or other document, which shall be valid whether or not ex pressed to be executed in the name of the authority, and for that purose use the seal of the authority,
    5. (e) grant any tenancy, and execute and serve a notice to quit, or any other notice, and
    6. (f) conduct business from, and require correspondence to be addressed to, any ordinary address of place of business of the authority, or any other address or place.
  2. (2) Notwithstanding section 286(1) of the Local Government Act 1933 or any other provision concerning any notice or other document served or to be served on a local authority, a Housing Commissioner may authorise a document which relates to the functions which he is appointed to discharge to be served on the Housing Commissioner, instead of on the authority, or to be served at an address appointed by the Housing Commissioner for the purpose, instead of at any other proper address; and service in accordance with this subsection shall be good service for all purposes. 1753
    • This subsection shall apply, with any necessary modifications, in relation to any document sent or delivered to a local authority or to a Housing Commissioner as it applies to a document served on a local authority or on a Housing Commissioner.
  3. (3) It shall be the duty of the authority to take all reasonable steps to facilitate the performance by a Housing Commissioner of the functions he is appointed to discharge, and the authority shall in particular—
    1. (a)afford all reasonable facilities to the Housing Commissioner for obtaining information and inspecting and taking copies of documents and, where documents relate exclusively to the functions he is appointed to discharge, for taking possession or control of those documents,
    2. (b) allow the Housing Commissioner to use, or share the use of, any premises or property previously used, or used in part, by the authority in discharge of those functions,
    3. (c) allow the Housing Commissioner to use, or share the use of, the services of officers in any department of the local authority to which those functions are or were assigned, or of any officers whose services were used, or used in part, by the authority in discharge of those functions.
  4. (4) It shall be the duty of any officer of the authority to obey any order given to him by a Housing Commissioner for the purposes of the functions which the Commissioner is appointed to discharge, and to give to the Housing Commissioner all assistance which he is reasonably able to give for those purposes.
  5. (5) The terms of service and remuneration of a Housing Commissioner, and of any staff appointed by him, shall be such as the Secretary of State may determine with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service.
  6. (6) The acts of a Housing Commissioner shall be valid notwithstanding any defect that may afterwards be discovered in his appointment.

  1. (7) The authority shall on demand pay to the Secretary of State—
    1. (a) any expenses certified by the Secretary of State to have been incurred by a Housing Commissioner in pursuance of the provisions of this Part of this Act; and
    2. (b) any sum certified by the Secretary of State as required to meet the remuneration of a Housing Commissioner.
  2. (8) An authority shall have the like power of raising money required for paying expenses or other sums certified by the Secretary of State as aforesaid as they have of raising money for paying expenses incurred directly by them, and the payment of any sums so certified shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Secretary of State, be a purpose for which the authority may borrow money in accordance with the statutory provisions relating to borrowing by that authority.
  3. (9) The provisions which may be included in an order by virtue of subsection (13)(b) of the last preceding section shall include any matters connected with the coming into force of such an order, or its termination, and the provisions of this section are without prejudice to the generality of the said subsection (13) (b).
  4. (10) Where, in pursuance of an order under the said subsection (9), a Housing Commissioner ceases to perform the functions which he was appointed to discharge, he shall prepare a report on the discharge of those functions, and submit it to the authority; and he shall include in the report any information which, in his opinion, may assist the authority in resuming the functions which he has been discharging."

Motion made, and Question put, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.—[Mr. Eyre.]

The House divided: Ayes 273, Noes 246.

Division No. 320.] AYES [2.0 a.m.
Adley, Robert Brocklebank-Fowler, Christopher d'Avigdor-Goldsmid,Maj.-Gen.James
Alison, Michael (Barkston Ash) Brown, Sir Edward (Bath) Dean, Paul
Allason, James (Hemel Hempstead) Bruce-Gardyne, J. Deedes, Rt. Hn. W. F.
Amery, Rt. Hn. Julian Bryan, Sir Paul Digby, Simon Wingfield
Archer, Jeffrey (Louth) Buchanan-Smith, Alick(Angus, N&M) Dixon, Piers
Astor, John Buck, Antony Dodds-Parker, Douglas
Atkins, Humphrey Bullus, Sir Eric Douglas-Home, Rt. Hn. Sir Alec
Awdry, Daniel Burden, F. A. Drayson, G. B.
Baker, Kenneth (St. Marylebone) Butler, Adam (Bosworth) Dykes, Hugh
Balniel, Rt. Hn. Lord Campbell, Rt.Hn.G.(Moray&Nairn) Eden, Rt. Hn. Sir John
Batsford, Brian Carlisle, Mark Edwards, Nicholas (Pembroke)
Bennett, Sir Frederic (Torquay) Carr, Rt. Hn. Robert Elliot, Capt. Walter (Carshalton)
Bennett, Dr. Reginald (Gosport) Chapman, Sydney Elliott, R. W. (N'c'tle-upon-Tyne,N.)
Benyon, W. Chataway, Rt. Hn. Christopher Emery, Peter
Berry, Hn. Anthony Chichester-Clark, R. Eyre, Reginald
Biggs-Davison, John Churchill, W. S. Farr, John
Blaker, Peter Clark, William (Surrey, E.) Fell, Anthony
Boardman, Tom (Leicester, S.W.) Clegg, Walter Fenner, Mrs. Peggy
Body, Richard Cockeram, Eric Fidler, Michael
Boscawen, Robert Cooke, Robert Finsberg, Geoffrey (Hampstead)
Bossom, Sir Clive Cordle, John Fisher, Nigel (Surbiton)
Bowden, Andrew Corfield, Rt. Hn. Sir Frederick Fletcher-Cooke, Charles
Braine, Bernard Cormack, Patrick Fookes, Miss Janet
Bray, Ronald Crouch, David Fortescue, Tim
Brewis, John Crowder, F. P. Foster, Sir John
Brinton, Sir Tatton Davies, Rt. Hn. John (Knutsford) Fowler, Norman
Fox, Marcus Le Marchant, Spencer Rippon, Rt. Hn. Geoffrey
Fry, Peter Lewis, Kenneth (Rutland) Roberts, Michael (Cardiff, N.)
Gardner, Edward Lloyd, Ian (P'tsm'th, Langstone) Roberts, Wyn (Conway)
Gilmour, Ian (Norfolk, C.) Longden, Gilbert Rodgers, Sir John (Sevenoaks)
Gilmour, Sir John (Fife, E.) Loveridge, John Rossi, Hugh (Hornsey)
Glyn, Dr. Alan Luce, R. N. Rost, Peter
Goodhart, Philip McAdden, Sir Stephen Royle, Anthony
Goodhew, Victor MacArthur, Ian Russell, Sir Ronald
Gorst, John McCrindle, R. A. St. John-Stevas, Norman
Gower, Raymond McLaren, Martin Sandys, Rt. Hn. D.
Grant, Anthony (Harrow, C.) Maclean, Sir Fitzroy Scott, Nicholas
Gray, Hamish Macmillan, Rt. Hn. Maurice (Farnham) Scott-Hopkins, James
Green, Alan McNair-Wilson, Michael Sharples, Sir Richard
Grieve, Percy McNair-Wilson. Patrick (NewForest) Shaw, Michael (Sc'b'gh & Whitby)
Griffiths, Eldon (Bury St. Edmunds) Maddan, Martin Shelton, William (Clapham)
Gummer, J. Selwyn Madel, David Simeons, Charles
Gurden, Harold Marples, Rt. Hn. Ernest Sinclair, Sir George
Hall, Miss Joan (Keighley) Marten, Neil Skeet, T. H. H.
Hall, John (Wycombe) Mather, Carol Smith, Dudley (W'wick & L'mington)
Hall-Davis, A. G. F. Maude, Angus Soref, Harold
Hamilton, Michael (Salisbury) Mawby, Ray Speed, Keith
Hannam, John (Exeter) Maxwell-Hyslop, R. J. Spence, John
Harrison, Col. Sir Harwood (Eye) Meyer, Sir Anthony Sproat, Iain
Haselhurst, Alan Mills, Peter (Torrington) Stainton, Keith
Hastings, Stephen Mills, Stratton (Belfast, N.) Stanbrook, Ivor
Havers, Michael Miscampbell, Norman Stewart-Smith, Geoffrey (Belper)
Hawkins, Paul Mitchell, Lt.-Col. C.(Aberdeenshire, W) Stoddart-Scott, Col. Sir M
Hayhoe, Barney Mitchell, David (Basingstoke) Stuttaford, Dr. Tom
Heseltine, Michael Moate, Roger Sutcliffe, John
Higgins, Terence L. Money, Ernle Tapsell, Peter
Hiley, Joseph Monks, Mrs. Connie Taylor, Sir Charles (Eastbourne)
Hill, John E. B. (Norfolk, S.) Monro, Hector Taylor, Edward M.(G'gow, Cathcart)
Hill, James (Southampton, Test) Montgomery, Fergus Taylor, Frank (Moss Side)
Holland, Philip More, Jasper Tebbit, Norman
Holt, Miss Mary Morgan, Geraint (Denbigh) Temple, John M.
Hordern, Peter Morgan-Giles, Rear-Adm. Thompson, Sir Richard (Croydon, S.)
Hornby, Richard Morrison, Charles Tilney, John
Hornsby-Smith, Rt. Hn. Dame Patricia Mudd, David Trafford, Dr. Anthony
Howe, Hn. Sir Geoffrey (Reigate) Murton, Oscar Trew, Peter
Howell, Ralph (Norfolk, N.) Neave, Airey Tugendhat, Christopher
Hunt, John Nicholls, Sir Harmar Turton, Rt. Hn. Sir Robin
Hutchison, Michael Clark Noble, Rt. Hn. Michael van Straubenzee, W. R.
Iremonger, T. L. Normanton, Tom Vaughan, Dr. Gerard
Irvine, Bryant Godman (Rye) Nott, John Vickers, Dame Joan
James, David Onslow, Cranley Waddington, David
Jenkin, Patrick (Woodford) Oppenheim, Mrs. Sally Walder, David (Clitheroe)
Jennings, J. C. (Burton) Osborn, John Walker, Rt. Hn. Peter (Worcester)
Jessel, Toby Page, Rt. Hn. Graham (Crosby) Walker-Smith, Rt. Hn. Sir Derek
Johnson, Smith, G. (E. Grinstead) Page, John (Harrow, W.) Wall, Patrick
Jones, Arthur (Northants, S.) Parkinson, Cecil Walters, Dennis
Jopling. Michael Peel, John Weatherill, Bernard
Joseph, Rt. Hn. Sir Keith Percival, Ian Wells, John (Maidstone)
Kaberry, Sir Donald Peyton, Rt. Hn. John White, Roger (Gravesend)
Kellett-Bowman, Mrs. Elaine Pink, R. Bonner Wiggin, Jerry
Kershaw, Anthony Powell, Rt. Hn. J. Enoch Wilkinson, John
King, Evelyn (Dorset, S.) Price, David (Eastleigh) Winterton, Nicholas
King, Tom (Bridgwater) Prior, Rt. Hn. J. M. L. Wolrige-Gordon, Patrick
Kinsey, J. R. Pym, Rt. Hn. Francis Wood, Rt. Hn. Richard
Kirk, Peter Raison, Timothy Worsley, Marcus
Kitson, Timothy Ramsden, Rt. Hn. James Wylie, Rt. Hn. N. R.
Knight, Mrs. Jill Redmond, Robert Younger, Hn. George
Knox, David Reed, Laurance (Bolton, E.)
Lambton, Lord Rees, Peter (Dover) TELLERS FOR THE AYES:
Lamont, Norman Renton, Rt. Hn. Sir David Mr. Kenneth Clarke and
Lane, David Rhys Williams, Sir Brandon Mr. John Stradling Thomas.
Langford-Holt, Sir John Ridley, Hn. Nicholas
Legge-Bourke, Sir Harry Ridsdale, Julian
NOES
Abse, Leo Boardman, H. (Leigh) Carmichael, Neil
Allaun, Frank (Salford, E.) Booth, Albert Carter, Ray (Birmingh'm, Northfield)
Archer, Peter (Rowley Regis) Bottomley, Rt. Hn. Arthur Carter-Jones, Lewis (Eccles)
Armstrong, Ernest Boyden, James (Bishop Auckland) Castle, Rt. Hn. Barbara
Ashton, Joe Bradley, Tom Clark, David (Colne Valley)
Atkinson, Norman Broughton, Sir Alfred Cocks, Michael (Bristol, S.)
Bagier, Gordon A. T Brown, Bob (N'c'tle-upon-Tyne,W.) Cohen, Stanley
Barnes, Michael Brown, Hugh D. (G'gow, Provan) Coleman, Donald
Barnett, Guy (Greenwich) Brown, Ronald (Shoreditch & F'bury) Concannon, J. D.
Barnett, Joet (Heywood and Royton) Buchan, Norman Cox, Thomas (Wandsworth, C.)
Bennett, James (Glasgow, Bridgeton] Buchanan, Richard (G'gow, Sp'burn) Crawshaw, Richard
Bidwell, Sydney Butler, Mrs. Joyce (Wood Green) Crosland, Rt. Hn. Anthony
Bishop, E. S. Campbell, I. (Dunbartonshire, W.) Cunningham, G. (Islington, S.W.)
Blenkinsop, Arthur Cant, R. B. Cunningham, Dr. J. A. (Whitehaven)
Dalyell, Tam Johnson, Walter (Derby, S.) Peart, Rt. Hn. Fred
Davidson, Arthur Jones, Barry (Flint, E.) Pendry, Tom
Davies, Denzil (Llanelly) Jones, Dan (Burnley) Pentland, Norman
Davies, Ifor (Gower) Jones, Rt. Hn. Sir Elwyn (W.Ham,S.) Perry, Ernest G.
Davis, Clinton (Hackney, C.) Jones, Gwynoro (Carmarthen) Prentice, Rt. Hn. Reg.
Davis, Terry (Bromsgrove) Jones, T. Alec (Rhondda, W.) Prescott, John
Deakins, Eric Judd, Frank Price, J. T. (Westhoughton)
de Freitas, Rt. Hn. Sir Geoffrey Kaufman, Gerald Price, William (Rugby)
Dell, Rt. Hn. Edmund Kelley, Richard Probert, Arthur
Dempsey, James Kinnock, Neil Reed, D. (Sedgefield)
Doig, peter Lambie, David Rees, Merlyn (Leeds, S.)
Dormand, J. D. Lamond, James Richard, Ivor
Douglas, Dick (Stirlingshire, E.) Latham, Arthur Roberts, Albert (Normanton)
Douglas-Mann, Bruce Lawson, George Roberts, Rt. Hn. Goronwy (Caernarvon)
Driberg, Tom Leonard, Dick Robertson, John (Paisley)
Duffy, A. E. P. Lever, Rt. Hn. Harold Roderick, Caerwyn E.(Br'c'n&R'dnor)
Dunn, James A. Lewis, Arthur (W. Ham, N.) Rodgers, William (Stockton-on-Tees)
Dunnett, Jack Lewis, Ron (Carlisle) Roper, John
Eadie, Alex Lipton, Marcus Rose, Paul B.
Edelman, Maurice Lomas, Kenneth Ross, Rt. Hn. William (Kilmarnock)
Edwards, Robert (Bilston) Loughlin, Charles Rowlands, Ted
Edwards, William (Merioneth) Lyon, Alexander W. (York) Sandelson, Neville
Ellis, Tom Lyons, Edward (Bradford, E.) Sheldon, Robert (Ashton-under-Lyne)
English, Michael Mabon, Dr. J. Dickson Shore, Rt. Hn. Peter (Stepney)
Evans, Fred McBride, Neil Short, Rt. Hn. Edward (N'c'tle-u-Tyne)
Ewing, Harry McCartney, Hugh Silkin, Rt. Hn. John (Deptford)
Fitch, Alan (Wigan) McElhone, Frank Silkin, Hn. S. C. (Dulwich)
Fletcher, Raymond (Ilkeston) McGuire, Michael Sillars, James
Fletcher, Ted (Darlington) Mackenzie, Gregor Silverman, Julius
Foley, Maurice Mackie, John Skinner, Dennis
Foot, Michael Mackintosh, John P. Small, William
Ford, Ben Maclennan, Robert Smith, John (Lanarkshire, N.)
Forrester, John McMillan, Tom (Glasgow, C.) Spearing, Nigel
Fraser, John (Norwood) McNamara, J. Kevin Spriggs, Leslie
Freeson, Reginald Mahon, Simon (Bootle) Stallard, A. W.
Garrett, W. E. Mallalieu, J. P. W. (Huddersfield, E.) Stoddart, David (Swindon)
Gilbert, Dr. John Marks, Kenneth Stonehouse, Rt. Hn. John
Ginsburg, David (Dewsbury) Marquand, David Strang, Gavin
Golding, John Marsden, F. Strauss, Rt. Hn. G. R.
Gourlay, Harry Marshall, Dr. Edmund Summerskill, Hn. Dr. Shirley
Grant, George (Morpeth) Mason, Rt. Hn. Roy Taverne, Dick
Grant, John D. (Islington, E.) Mayhew, Christopher Thomas, Rt. Hn. George (Cardiff,W.)
Griffiths, Eddie (Brightside) Meacher, Michael Thomas, Jeffrey (Abertillery)
Griffiths, Will (Exchange) Mellish, Rt. Hn. Robert Thompson, Rt. Hn. G. (Dundee, E.)
Hamilton, James (Bothwell) Mendelson, John Tinn, James
Hamilton, William (Fife, W.) Mikardo, Ian Tomney, Frank
Hamling, William Millan, Bruce Tuck, Raphael
Hannan, William (G'gow, Maryhill) Miller, Dr. M. S. Urwin, T. W.
Hardy, Peter Milne, Edward Varley, Eric G.
Hart, Rt. Hn. Judith Mitchell, R. C. (S'hampton, Itchen) Wainwright, Edwin
Hattersley, Roy Molloy, William Walden, Brian (B'm'ham, All Saints)
Healey, Rt. Hn. Denis Morgan, Elystan (Cardiganshire) Walker, Harold (Doncaster)
Heffer, Eric S. Morris, Alfred (Wythenshawe) Wallace, George
Horam, John Morris, Charles R. (Openshaw) Watkins, David
Houghton, Rt. Hn. Douglas Morris, Rt. Hn. John (Abersvon) Wells, William (Walsall, N.)
Howell, Denis (Small Heath) Moyle, Roland White, James (Glasgow, Pollok)
Huckfield, Leslie Mulley, Rt. Hn. Frederick Whitehead, Phillip
Hughes, Rt. Hn. Cledwyn (Anglesey) Murray, Ronald King Whitlock, William
Hughes, Mark (Durham) Oakes, Gordon Willey, Rt. Hn. Frederick
Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen, N.) Ogden, Eric Williams, Alan (Swansea, W.)
Hunter, Adam O'Halloran, Michael Williams, Mrs. Shirley (Hitchin)
Irvine, Rt. Hn. Sir Arthur (Edge Hill) O'Malley, Brian Wilson, Alexander (Hamilton)
Janner, Greville Oram, Bert Wilson, Rt. Hn. Harold (Huyton)
Jay, Rt. Hn. Douglas Orme, Stanley Wilson, William (Coventry, S.)
Jeger, Mrs. Lena Oswald, Thomas Woof, Robert
Jenkins, Hugh (Putney) Owen, Dr. David (Plymouth, Sutton)
John, Brynmor Paget, R. T. TELLERS FOR THE NOES:
Johnson, Carol (Lewisham, S.) Palmer, Arthur Mr. Walter Harrison and
Johnson, James (K'ston-on-Hull, w.) Parry, Robert (Liverpool, Exchange) Mr. Joseph Harper.
Pavitt, Laurie

Question accordingly agreed to.

It being after the hour at which the proceedings on consideration of the Lords Amendments were to be brought to a conclusion pursuant to Order this day, Mr. Deputy Speaker designated the remaining Lords Amendments which appeared to him to involve Privilege.

(Nos. 101, 111 to 122, 128 to 130, 133, 134, 138 to 149, 152, 157 and 159 to 166).

Motion made, and Question, That this House doth agree with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Amendments except those so designated by Mr. Deputy Speaker.—[Mr. Eyre]—put forthwith, pursuant to Order and agreed to.

Motion made, and Question, That this House doth agree with the Lords in each of the Lords Amendments designated by Mr. Deputy Speaker—[Mr. Eyre]—put severally, pursuant to Order, and agreed to. [Special Entries.]