APPEALS AGAINST IMPROVEMENT NOTICES (Hansard, 25 June 1974)

§ Mr. Rowlands

I beg to move Amendment No. 25, in page 78, line 12, leave out from 'expense' to end of line 13.

This amendment removes an inconsistency in the drafting of the Bill. The other references to "reasonable expense" in Part VII of the Bill—in Clauses 78(1)(b), 80(1), 82(3)(c) and, by reference, in Clause 81(2)(b)—are not subject to the qualification that regard should be had to the estimated cost of the works.

The amendment arises from a promise made by my hon. Friend in Committee to consider Amendment No. 182 moved by the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Allason) which proposed to delete the estimated cost of the works from Clause 84(2)(a) and substitute "in all the circumstances". The amendment was inspired by a suggestion made by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. In moving it, the hon. Gentleman expressed the view that the estimated cost of the works was unduly restrictive because there were other matters which ought to be considered.

The Government amendment now proposed will, in the event of an appeal, allow a court to take into account these other matters including the social as well as the economic value of an improved house. The "in" of "in all the circumstances", as proposed by the hon. Gentleman, is therefore superfluous.