HC Deb 23 January 1974 vol 867 cc1727-8

7.30 p.m.

Mr. Rossi

I beg to move Amendment No. 11, in page 25, line 7, leave out from 'represent' to end of line 9 and insert: 'authorities in England to which this Part of this Act applies, or as the case may be such authorities in Wales'. This amendment slightly varies the wording of Clause 23(2) which describes who the representative bodies for England and Wales are to be. Under the present wording the representative bodies are to represent local authorities and to be concerned with administration in local government. The revised wording puts it beyond doubt that they can also represent other types of authority within Clause 24(1) of the Bill, particularly water authorities. Obviously there will be consultation with all the interests concerned.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Rossi

I beg to move Amendment No. 59, in page 25, line 25, at end insert: '(6A) Where, in accordance with subsection (6) above, a representative body arrange for the publication of a report submitted to them under subsection (4) above, they may also arrange for the report to be published with an annex containing such comments on the report as they think appropriate. (6B) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (6A) above, comments made by a representative body by virtue of that subsection may relate to particular classes of authorities to which this Part of this Act applies'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this amendment, it will be convenient to take Amendment No. 13, in page 25, line 25, at end insert: 'and shall add to such reports their views thereon which shall be taken into account by the appropriate commission in the execution of their functions under this Act'. and Government Amendment No. 14.

Mr. Rossi

The purpose of these amendments is to increase the powers of representative bodies in relation to reports of the two commissions. Amendment No. 59 deals with reports under subsection (4) and Amendment No. 14 deals with the recommendations and conclusions which the commissions may reach in their annual financial reviews under Clause 22(2). These amendments are chiefly intended to meet points put forward by the local authority associations. I hope the House will accept them.

Mr. Oakes

We agree with these amendments. In fact Amendments Nos. 59 and 14 do a better job than our Amendment No. 13. I thank the Government for taking this point in Committee and in implementing it on Report.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment made: No. 14, in page 25, line 25, at end insert:

'(6A) In transmitting to local authorities recommendations or conclusions conveyed by either of the Commissions (in accordance with section 22(12) above) the representative body concerned may make such comments on those recommendations or conclusions as they think appropriate.'.—[Mr. Rossi.]
Forward to